Imagine thousands of tons of electronic waste, plastic waste, and refrigerants containing ozone-depleting substances being disguised as ordinary cargo to evade customs scrutiny, ultimately dumped in environmentally fragile regions. This not only poses a severe threat to the environment but also blatantly violates international trade regulations. The DEMETER operation, launched by the World Customs Organization (WCO), aims to combat such illicit trade.
Conducted from September 1 to 30, 2019, DEMETER V strengthened customs monitoring and management of cross-border flows of environmentally sensitive goods, ensuring compliance with trade-related provisions of international environmental conventions such as the Basel Convention and the Montreal Protocol. The results were confirmed at a closing ceremony hosted by China Customs in Shenzhen.
Objectives and Scope
The operation targeted illegal shipments of hazardous waste, particularly plastic waste and ozone-depleting substances (ODS). All transport methods and customs control measures fell under its purview, in line with the Basel Convention and Montreal Protocol.
Coordination and Participation
Eighty-three participating members appointed national contact points (NCPs) to collaborate closely with the Operation Coordination Unit (OCU) at the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO AP). Six regional and international organizations also joined this 30-day global enforcement effort.
Key Goals
Within each country’s legal framework, DEMETER V also sought to enhance information-sharing between customs authorities and global regulatory bodies to prevent and intercept illegal cross-border flows of waste and ODS.
Major Outcomes: Seizures and Trends
Through the Customs Enforcement Network communication platform (CENcomm), 232 seizures were reported. Of these, 201 involved waste totaling 4,584 tons and 59,983 items. By volume and case count, electronic waste (e-waste), plastic waste, metal scrap, used vehicle parts, and municipal waste dominated. Compared to DEMETER IV, metal slag and scrap rubber saw significant declines. E-waste seizures tripled, while plastic waste cases doubled but total volume dropped to one-seventh of 2018 levels. Plastic still accounted for 23% of seized goods.
For ODS, 8,031 kg were seized across 81 refrigerant units.
Illegal Tactics Uncovered
Customs identified various evasion methods, primarily false declarations and misuse of permits. Below are common disguises for illegal waste shipments:
| Illegal Waste | Declared Goods |
|---|---|
| Electronic waste | "Second-hand electronics" or "reusable devices" |
| Plastic scrap | "Recyclable materials" or "industrial raw materials" |
| Hazardous metal slag | "Construction aggregates" |
The operation underscores the ongoing challenges in curbing environmental crime and the critical role of international cooperation in safeguarding ecosystems.