Police arrest Chinese warehouse owner for storing cadmium waste
Cadmium residue reported missing from a factory in Samut Sakhon province has been recovered, and a foreigner has been arrested, officials said on Saturday after inspecting a factory.
Police arrested Liu Lu, a 38-year-old Chinese national and owner of the warehouse where over 7,000 tons of cadmium waste were stored. He reportedly confessed to preparing them for sale in China.
Police along with officials from the Department of Factories and the Industrial Office of Samut Sakhon found and seized cadmium waste within the premises of J and B Metal Co Ltd located in Bang Nam Jeud sub-district, Mueang district, Samut Sakhon province earlier this week.
Officials found that some of the cadmium waste brought from Tak province were missing. They discovered transportation documents indicating the transfer of waste from J and B Metal Co to another company in Khlong Kiew sub-district, Ban Bueng district, Chonburi province.
On Saturday, police found big bags containing substances resembling cadmium waste and the exterior of the bags was sprayed with paint, similar to what was found in the factory in Samut Sakhon province.
Officials from the Department of Factories and the Industrial Office of Chonburi coordinated to conduct a detailed inspection. Initially, the Department of Factories confirmed that it was the same batch of cadmium waste found in Samut Sakhon province.
Subsequently, it was found that the cadmium waste had not been removed for melting.
Liu Lu admitted to purchasing the cadmium from one Zhang for distribution in China. Based on this information, the authorities have charged Liu Lu with being in possession of hazardous substances and confiscated the warehouse, prohibiting unauthorised individuals from entering or leaving until all the cadmium had been properly handled.
Minister of Industry Pimphattra Wichaikul has instructed officials to expedite the process of safely and swiftly burying all the cadmium waste back at the original source. Additionally, they must verify if there was any remaining cadmium waste elsewhere to alleviate public concerns.
