The process and analysis of samples from the 102 containers seized suspected of containing hazardous waste in October last year at the Port of Durres will soon begin. The Durres Prosecutor's Office has announced that a laboratory has been found that will conduct the analysis of the seized goods and their response is awaited.
"Currently, a laboratory has been identified that meets and has the infrastructure to guarantee compliance with all international protocols and standards, and the collection and analysis of samples will be proceeded with very soon."
Also, within the framework of this criminal proceeding, Bazel Action Network and Mileukontakt Albania, represented by Jim Puckett, has addressed the Durrës Prosecutor's Office via email requesting to be questioned as a witness and to participate as an expert and observer during the sampling and analysis process.
He was summoned to the Prosecutor's Office at the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Durres on December 4 of last year in order to give testimony and submit the evidence he had, but according to the Prosecutor's Office's announcement, unable to appear in person, Mr. Puckett sent it via e-mail.
We recall that the ship with the waste rejected by the Thai authorities arrived in Durrës on October 28, 2024. The Durrës Prosecutor's Office ordered the unloading of 102 containers at a location in Porto Romano, far from residential areas, protected with physical and health security conditions. The director of the Basel Action (BAN) network, Jim Puckett, told journalists in Durrës on October 28 that "there are over 2 tons of hazardous waste on the ship."
This caused a lot of debate and controversy in Albanian politics, with accusations and counter-accusations between the majority and the opposition.
Reaction of the Durrës Prosecution Office regarding the criminal proceedings initiated on the containers seized on the ship MOLIVA XA443A
Based on some news made public in online media but also due to the high interest at the same time, we find it appropriate to inform public opinion on the progress of the investigations into the 102 containers seized by the Prosecutor's Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction, Durrës on 28.10.2024.
This prosecutor's office, within the framework of criminal proceedings no. 1596, of 2024, registered for the criminal offenses "Smuggling of prohibited or restricted goods", provided for by Article 171 of the Criminal Code, "Transportation of waste", provided for by Article 201/bi of the Criminal Code, as well as "Abuse of office" provided for by Article 248 of the Criminal Code, is conducting intensive investigations.
Initially, within the framework of this proceeding, 102 containers were seized, which were transported to Albania with the ship MOLIVA XA443A that arrived at the Port of Durrës on 28.10.2024.
Taking into account the suspicions about the dangerousness of the substances contained in the material located in these containers, as well as the large volume (102 containers) and the utmost care to respect all international best practices during the process of taking samples, transporting, storing and analyzing them, the Durrës Prosecutor's Office has officially addressed all ministries that have subordinate entities, laboratories and institutions operating in the territory of the Republic of Albania with the aim of carrying out this complex process.
In the absence of infrastructure and special tools to carry out the entire chain of processes according to international practices, we have turned to the General Directorate of Accreditation with the aim of identifying private laboratories operating in Albania that have expertise in testing other hazardous substances and that meet a series of general and specific criteria such as:
- Be accredited for the measurement of heavy metals, PAHs, Dioxins and PCBs according to international standards;
- Have the ability to establish robust protocols for maintaining an uninterrupted chain of care to ensure the integrity of samples (detailed records for every step, from sample collection to analysis);
- Have experts with experience in the field of chemical analysis, waste (slags)
metals and ash from thermal power plants; and
- Have validated laboratory information management systems (LIMS) for secure data management, traceability and report generation.
A laboratory has currently been identified that meets and has the infrastructure to guarantee compliance with all international protocols and standards, and will soon proceed with the collection and analysis of samples.
We also find it appropriate to clarify public opinion that, within the framework of this criminal proceeding, Bazel Action Network and Mileukontakt Albania, represented by Jim Puckett, has addressed the Durrës Prosecutor's Office via email requesting to be questioned as a witness and to participate as an expert and observer during the sampling and analysis process.
In compliance with the provisions of the criminal procedural law, Mr. Puckett has been summoned to appear at the Prosecutor's Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction of Durrës on 04.12.2024 in order to give testimony and submit the evidence he had. Unable to appear in person, Mr. Puckett has sent them via e-mail.
The Prosecutor's Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction, Durrës has continued with intensity and priority the carrying out of investigative actions in relation to this criminal proceeding and will also continue to inform the public regarding this matter that carries high public interest.
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