Businessman Charged in Waste-Shipping Case

A Sherman Oaks businessman has been freed on $40,000 bail after appearing in court on felony charges that he transported hazardous waste from the San Fernando Valley to Mexico, authorities said Friday.

Soleiman Motamed, 53, owner of Triple S. Chemical Products Inc. in Los Angeles, was accused of illegally shipping dozens of drums of lethal cyanide to Mexico, where they were found stored in abandoned warehouses and behind open businesses, Deputy Dist. Atty. William Carter said.

The liquid cyanide, which was stored in 55-gallon drums, could generate potentially lethal cyanide gas, the substance used in gas chambers, Carter said. He said the liquid cyanide, used in metal plating, was illegally labeled as “product” rather than “hazardous waste” when shipped to Mexico without a permit.

Charged with Motamed was Horacio Sosa, 55, of Calexico. Sosa was arrested at the U.S.-Mexican border Monday and was being held in a Los Angeles County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail, Carter said.

Sosa has pleaded not guilty. Motamed, who could not be reached for comment, appeared for arraignment Thursday and asked for a postponement. The hearing was rescheduled for next Thursday.

The case dates back to June and July, 1989, when the two men allegedly arranged to illegally dispose of waste from the now-defunct All American Plating Corp. in North Hollywood, Carter said.

Motamed also faces felony charges of allegedly shipping hazardous waste to Mexico from a now-defunct costume jewelry company called Contemporary Creations and a metal-plating company called Brite Plating, both in Los Angeles, Carter said.