The officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Friday announced seizure of eight containers of e-waste weighing about 127 tonnes that were imported through Chennai Port.

Five imported consignments covering eight containers of goods suspected to be e-waste and electrical waste were taken up for scrutiny by DRI officials after intelligence information hinting that electrical wastes are imported in the guise of used computers and monitors through Chennai port.

During examination by the officials, it was found that the goods in the containers were computer monitors, CPUs and processors, among others that were very old, used, broken and appeared to be in unusable conditions. A large portion of the computer monitors were found to be more than 10 years old and clearly meant for recycling, according to a statement of DRI, Chennai

These containers were imported from countries such as Australia, Canada, Korea and Brunei. The total weight of the goods in the eight containers was 127 tonnes.

The import of e-waste and electrical waste are covered under Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling, Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 and their import can be made only with the permission of the Ministry of Environment and Health in addition to a license from Director General of Foreign Trade.

The importers of the above consignments didn’t posses either of the permissions required. Cases have been registered against the importers for violations of rules.