International Operation “Demeter” of the World Customs Organization in October; 106 countries took part – 334 controls in Austria
Vienna (OTS) – In October, the Austrian customs office took part in the international operation “Demeter IX”, which was carried out by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The operation targeted the illegal cross-border transport of hazardous waste and the illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances. It was carried out in October 2023 by 106 partner countries.
This time the focus of the controls was on the illegal cross-border shipment of plastic waste and electronic waste as well as ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFW). The Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) was also involved again.
“Austria’s participation in Operation Demeter is an important part of our commitment to global environmental protection. The results show that our efforts are bearing fruit and that we are making a valuable contribution to the fight against the illegal transport of hazardous waste and the trade in environmentally harmful substances. The successes reflect the excellent coordination and commitment of the international customs authorities and I would particularly like to thank our Austrian customs officers,” said Finance Minister Magnus Brunner.
For targeted control, several risk profiles for the operational phase were created by the Predictive Analytics Competence Center (PACC) and the Austrian customs office based on data evaluations. In addition, focus teams for travel and mobile inspections carried out 10 focus operations with inspections in accordance with the Waste Management Act. Four of these were joint inspections that were planned as part of the annual inspection plan together with experts from the BMK, the Federal Environment Agency, the district administrative authorities and the police.
During the operational phase, 334 controls were triggered by the previously created risk profiles. Among other things, a shipment of used tires and cars destined for Cameroon that qualified as waste was stopped and confiscated. During the mobile checks, the customs officers found irregularities under the Waste Management Act in a total of 13 cases, which were dealt with by issuing a sanction.
WCO is seeing an increase in apprehensions worldwide
In total, more than 17,486 tons of waste and an additional 144,313 pieces of unweighed waste were identified in 2023. 70 tons of substances that damage the ozone layer and are therefore controlled under the Montreal Protocol environmental agreement and 6,046 pieces of pre-loaded equipment, such as refrigerators or air conditioners, as well as 31 tons and 74,797 pieces of other goods including restricted or prohibited goods such as dangerous chemicals were reported.
The majority of illegal waste included textiles, metal, plastic, unusable vehicles and machinery, paper and electronic waste. Most of the attacks came from Europe and were destined for Europe, Asia and Africa, reports the WCO.
In particular, chemicals containing chlorine and bromine, which destroy ozone in the stratosphere and which are controlled under the Montreal Protocol, recorded a significant increase. The number of seizures increased globally by 250%, and the amount of total substances seized increased by 180%. Most of the arrests were made in Gambia and Bulgaria.
Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBaLu1
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