The EAIC said an investigation found that the DoE officers acted without authority and clear justification in allowing the consignments to leave the port, although this did not succeed.

It said a task force found that certain DoE officers had colluded to release the consignments, and that there was a leak of internal information related to the transfer of directors and officers.

“It was found that the incoming director or officer would release the relevant containers (containing e-waste),” it said in a statement.

EAIC said the DoE failed to act on the leaked information and that investigations into the e-waste consignments were delayed, which the commission attributed to poor supervision.

It said the slow action could have resulted in significant losses for the government as well as environmental pollution.

The commission recommended that the chief secretary to the government take disciplinary action on the officers involved, and that a new standing order on enforcement be put in place at the DoE to prevent future misconduct.