This article from El Comercio Peru investigates the prevalence of illegal warehouses in the Barrios Altos district of Lima. These warehouses, often operating in multi-story buildings without proper safety measures or ventilation, store highly combustible materials, creating significant fire hazards.
The report identifies several companies, including Grupo LQ, Grupo Fey, Importaciones D’Marita, and China Bit, operating these dangerous facilities. These businesses, many of Asian origin, are alleged to be operating without proper licenses and disregard safety regulations. The article names the legal representatives of some of these companies, highlighting their disregard for regulations and past sanctions.
The article details the conditions of these warehouses: lack of windows, inadequate ventilation, and the storage of highly flammable materials. Images provided in the article show the unsafe conditions.
The article points to a failure of the Lima Metropolitan Municipality (MML) to effectively enforce regulations and crack down on illegal warehouse operations. While ordinances exist prohibiting warehouses in Barrios Altos due to its historical significance, they are not enforced effectively. The article cites the opinions of legal experts who discuss potential criminal charges for endangering public safety.
The president of the Mesa Redonda Business Chamber, Román Nazario Álvarez, defends the businesses, arguing that they pay taxes, despite operating outside regulations. He claims that recent fires were acts of vandalism and extortion, not caused by the inherently dangerous conditions of the warehouses.
The article concludes with a picture of impunity, exposing the dangerous practices, lack of regulation, and possible criminal activity behind the operation of illegal warehouses in Barrios Altos. The potentially fatal consequences and the need for stronger enforcement of existing regulations are strongly emphasized.