Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste Trafficking

Albanian police have arrested 20 individuals in connection with the trafficking of toxic waste from Albania to Thailand. The investigation, which began over a year ago, focused on more than 100 containers of hazardous waste originating from the Turkish-owned Kurum International steel mill in Elbasan. The shipment, falsely declared as iron oxide, was rejected by Thailand after the environmental group Basel Action Network (BAN) exposed its true contents as toxic electric arc furnace dust. Lab analysis confirmed the materials were dangerous, leading to the arrests and the issuance of 33 arrest warrants, including for customs agents and National Environment Agency employees. The alleged offenses include trafficking of prohibited goods, abuse of office, and money laundering. Five Kurum International managers, an administrator, and an accountant are among the suspects. The European Union===European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) cooperated in the investigation.