Trafigura found guilty of exporting toxic waste
- Editor
- Jul 23, 2010
- 1 min read
Summary: A Dutch court found multinational oil trader Trafigura guilty of illegally exporting toxic waste from Amsterdam and concealing its hazardous nature. The waste, originally declared as harmless "slops," was shipped aboard the Probo Koala in 2006 and ultimately dumped in Ivory Coast, where thousands reported illness and several died. Trafigura was fined €1 million, while employee Naeem Ahmed and the ship's captain also received fines and a suspended sentence, respectively. The ruling marks the first criminal conviction for Trafigura in connection with the scandal. Despite being cleared of forgery charges, Trafigura expressed disappointment with the verdict and is considering an appeal. The company maintains the waste posed limited health risks, and no damage occurred in Amsterdam. Greenpeace welcomed the ruling as a strong warning against waste dumping in developing countries, while victims and activists continue to push for broader accountability. Trafigura had previously paid $160 million to the Ivorian government and $50 million to victims, without admitting liability.
Source: BBC
