Port of Manzanillo, Colima — The government of Mexico has carried out the removal, transport and final disposal of a shipment of liquid mercury. The product was seized in 2022 after it was found in the Port of Manzanillo being illegally shipped.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), through the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa), reported on its disposal last week. On February 3, 2026 the government said that in January, they carried out the removal, transport and final disposal of a shipment of 644 kilograms of liquid mercury.
The mercury was found in 2022 contained in 48 conveyor belt rollers, which were secured as a precaution in the Port of Manzanillo, Colima.
This action fulfills the Minamata Convention on Mercury, combating the international trafficking of this highly toxic element for humans, animals and the environment.
The shipment was seized in 2022 for lacking export authorization. At that time, the exporter declared it as “merchandise not regulated by Semarnat” because they were using a tariff that did not apply to the actual nature of the contents.
During the verification process, the Mexican National Customs Agency (ANAM) detected the shipment and requested the intervention of inspectors from the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) to identify the substance contained in the rollers.
Following the corresponding inspection, the personnel confirmed the presence of liquid mercury, and therefore requested that ANAM seize the shipment and initiated the administrative procedure to order the corresponding corrective measures and impose the appropriate financial penalty.
In compliance with international chemical safety protocols and the Minamata Convention, on January 17, 2026, the shipment was transferred, under strict security, control and proper environmental management measures, from the Port of Manzanillo to the municipality of Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila.
It was destined for a service company authorized by Semarnat, where it was subjected to a stabilization and permanent confinement process.
These actions are part of the comprehensive strategy of Profepa and Semarnat to reduce the presence of mercury in the environment.
They also fulfill Strategy 4.3.4 of the 2025–2030 National Development Plan: “Strengthen pollution prevention and control measures to protect public health and preserve a healthy environment.”
According to Article 414 of the Federal Penal Code, a penalty of one to nine years in prison and a fine is established for anyone who unlawfully carries out activities of trafficking, import or export, among others, with substances that are dangerous due to their corrosive, reactive, explosive, toxic, flammable, radioactive or other similar characteristics.
Exposure to mercury poses a serious risk to human health, especially during intrauterine development and early life. It can affect the nervous and immune systems, the digestive system, the skin, the lungs, the kidneys, and the eyes.
Mercury is a chemical element whose use, handling, storage, manufacture, import and export is restricted by the Minamata Convention due to its serious environmental and health impacts.
The Government of Mexico, through the federal environmental sector, reaffirms its international commitment, combats the illicit trafficking of mercury and strengthens the protection of public health and the environment.
