Liberia intercepts 4 containers of waste smuggled in from Greece

Liberia has refused to accept waste products that were shipped into the country as authorities revealed that they are returning the containers back to where it came from.

According to the BBC, Greece reportedly smuggled four shipping containers stuffed with tonnes of hazardous polyethylene waste bags into Liberia "under the pretext of being recyclable materials".

The containers were discovered by anti-smuggling officers at the port of Monrovia when containers arrived "oozing some odour", says Environment Protect Agency (EPA) head Nathaniel Blama, and investigation followed.

After analysis, the EPA said this particular type of plastic bags were banned from being recycled or re-used in Greece. It believes the bags were sold to a local waste dealer who in turn shipped them to Liberia.

Liberia’s 350-mile coastline is largely underpatrolled and international fishing vessels often operate in its waters illegally.