18 indicted over dumping of used cooking oil, waste

Taipei, March 13 (CNA) A total of 18 people were indicted on Thursday for allegedly profiting by over NT$300 million (US$9.10 million) from dumping used cooking oil and other types of waste, without following legally required disposal procedures.

The suspects included a business owner surnamed Tsai (蔡), who won various contracts from 2010 to 2023 to dispose of waste oil for department stores, hotels and food court restaurants in hospitals, according to a press release issued by the Shilin District Prosecutors Office.

Tsai then allegedly subcontracted the work to several unlicensed operators, including two brothers identified by their last name Hung (洪), and individuals surnamed Pan (潘) and Tung (童), the office said.

Considering that there were huge profits to be gained, Tung, Pan and the Hung brothers separately took on other contracts of their own during different time periods, according to the office.

Citing the Hungs as an example, prosecutors said the brothers profited by roughly NT$140 million from various contracts that were awarded to them by local businesses such as Formosa Chang, Noble Family Steak House, Hsin Ya International Hotels, and ATT 4 Fun shopping mall to dispose of waste oil since 2016.

However, instead of disposing of the oil legally, they allegedly dumped the waste oil into roadside gutters, prosecutors said, adding that those businesses also knew beforehand that the Hungs did not have a valid waste disposal management license.

Meanwhile, Tung allegedly profited by about NT$24.44 million by dumping 2,856 metric tons of waste for a marble company and construction site from 2014 to 2023, and another NT$1.78 million from toxic liquid waste produced from electrolytic cells, prosecutors said.

The office said the probe into Tsai and other suspects took over a year after investigations began in November 2023.

The 18 suspects were indicted Thursday for suspected contraventions of the Waste Disposal Act and offenses of concealment under the Criminal Code.

Due to the severity of their crime, prosecutors asked that the court to consider handing down a harsh punishment.

Meanwhile, Formosa Chang has issued a separate statement apologizing to the public over the case and that it will humbly accept the outcome of the court's ruling.

As of press time, Noble Family Steak House, Hsin Ya International Hotels and ATT 4 Fun had not responded to requests for comment on the matter.