Mexico’s Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) seized 223,280 kilograms of charcoal and imposed closures on two establishments in Durango after detecting irregular forestry exploitation and the discharge of contaminated wastewater containing hazardous residues into the municipal drainage system. Both actions, carried out between June 3 and June 4, stemmed from citizen complaints and led to administrative proceedings to determine responsibility.
The inspections were based on the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection, the General Law for the Prevention and Integrated Management of Waste, the National Waters Law, and Official Mexican Standard NOM-002-SEMARNAT-1996.
Profepa Seizes More Than 200 Tons of Charcoal
On June 3, Profepa personnel conducted an inspection at a Forest Raw Materials Storage and Processing Center located in the Lauro del Villar ejido, in the municipality of Nombre de Dios, following a complaint regarding the irregular harvesting of huizache trees (Acacia spp.).
Upon arriving at the site, inspectors found a charcoal production facility in full operation. Those responsible were unable to provide permits authorizing the processing of huizache firewood, nor could they prove the legal origin of the forest raw materials found on the premises.
Due to these irregularities, Profepa initiated an administrative procedure and imposed the precautionary seizure of the following materials:
- 11,164 sacks containing 223,280 kilograms of charcoal
- 30 kilns in the production process, containing 216 cubic meters of roundwood
- An additional 297 cubic meters of firewood stored on the property
In addition to the seizure, the authority imposed a temporary partial closure of the establishment to halt the irregular activities while the administrative process continues.
Cadusa Sanctioned for Discharging Oils and Grease into the Capital’s Drainage System
One day later, on June 4, Profepa inspectors visited the facilities of Camionera de Durango (Cadusa), located in the city of Durango, also in response to a citizen complaint. The inspection focused on hazardous waste management.
A review of the drainage system connected to the municipal sewer network confirmed the presence of oils and grease resulting from maintenance and washing activities involving tractor-trailers, buses, engines, and metal parts.
The establishment had two oil and grease traps installed, but Profepa determined that these were insufficient to handle the volume of wastewater generated by its operations. The problem is compounded by the fact that Cadusa does not have a wastewater treatment plant or treatment system capable of controlling the discharge of liquids contaminated with hazardous waste.
Due to the imminent risk of contamination to the municipal sanitation system, Profepa imposed a temporary partial closure of the areas associated with these activities.
Citizen Complaints Drive Environmental Enforcement Operations in Durango
Both operations originated from reports made by residents who alerted environmental authorities to irregular practices. In the case of the charcoal facility in Nombre de Dios, the complaint concerned unauthorized tree harvesting; in the case of Cadusa, it involved contamination of the urban drainage system.
Profepa will continue the administrative proceedings to determine the corresponding responsibilities in each case and ensure the protection of natural resources and the environment in the state of Durango.
Source: infobae
