Hazardous waste was illegally dumped from ships in the Odesa region

Linseed water with a high concentration of petroleum products was pumped out of the vessels, but instead of being safely disposed of, it was illegally dumped onto land plots.

The environmental damage is estimated at over UAH 2.4 million, according to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine.

The suspicion was reported to a deputy of the Safyanivka village council and four members of the criminal group.

According to the investigation, the official, teaming up with his acquaintance, founded a company that was officially engaged in agency service of vessels.

“In fact, the company was used for illegal enrichment through improper handling of toxic waste and land pollution,” the prosecutor’s office noted.

The suspects concluded a formal contract with a licensed company for the disposal of hazardous waste. However, this agreement remained only on paper – the counterparty did not receive it, and the actual implementation of the agreement never began. Later, three more people were involved in the scheme.

“They supervised the cleaning of cargo compartments of ships from bilge water containing a high concentration of petroleum products. The waste was pumped into special tanks, and then, instead of safe disposal, was illegally dumped on the land of a solid waste landfill in the Izmail district,” the report says.

As a result, land plots with an area of ​​over 2,200 sq m were contaminated with substances harmful to human health and the environment.

Currently, the suspects have been given preventive measures in the form of detention with the option of bail.

As USM previously reported, the shipowner Stavenger paid over 64 million for the oil spill in the port of Pivdennyi.