Polluting Enterprises Punished by Law

Since the Fujian Putian Xianyou Jiaowei Battery Smelting Works began production 13 years ago, it discharged hazardous waste into the atmosphere without taking any pollution prevention measures. This resulted in damage to local crops and overly-high blood-lead levels in 203 local people, constituting a major environmental pollution accident leading to the loss of public and private property totaling at more than RMB 1 million Yuan. On March 26 this year, Xianyou County Court issued a public ruling on this case .The court of the first instance judged that Jiaowei Battery Smelting Works was guilty of a major environmental pollution accident, illegal operation crime and tax evasion, and levied a total fine of RMB 11 million Yuan; The Xianyou Yishun Secondary Metal Development Co., Ltd (“Yishun Company”) was guilty of tax evasion and was fined RMB 3 million Yuan; Mr. Zheng, legal representative of Jiaowei Battery Smelting Works and the Yishun Company was found guilty of a major environmental pollution accident, illegal operation and tax evasion, and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of RMB 10 million Yuan; another accused person Zheng X qing, was found guilty of a major environmental pollution accident and tax evasion, and was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment and a fine of RMB 3.5 million Yuan. The plant has been ordered to cease operations. (Source: Fujian News)