Shipping containers seized in major illegal activity crackdown at border

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Authorities have intercepted 11 shipping containers in a major crackdown on illegal waste exports at Australia’s busiest ports.

The joint operation targeted ports in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, uncovering items such as used tyres, solar panels, batteries, and inverters.

Officials say many of the shipments were being exported without the required permits or approvals, which are mandatory under Australian law for certain waste materials.

All containers were stopped before leaving the country and returned to their owners. Exporters involved have been issued warnings and guidance, but authorities say serious penalties could follow for repeated or deliberate breaches.

The operation was part of Operation Demeter XI, a worldwide initiative led by the World Customs Organization, with support from the Australian Border Force, INTERPOL, and Europol.

The crackdown also highlights a growing issue: managing waste from old solar panels. Australia is expected to produce around one million tonnes of solar panel waste by 2035, making proper recycling and disposal increasingly important.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing and warn that illegal waste exports will face strict enforcement moving forward.

Source : YahooNews

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