In the Akmola Region, police stopped a vehicle transporting more than 800 litres of herbicides without documents confirming the legality of the transport and the origin of the cargo. An inspection is underway, and a procedural decision will be made based on the results.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to Polisia.kz, officers from the patrol police battalion stopped an overloaded Volkswagen Transporter vehicle at the 8th kilometre of the Kokshetau — Atbasar highway during the "Safe Road" operational preventive operation.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, police discovered more than 800 litres of herbicides packaged in canisters.
WHAT THE DRIVER EXPLAINED
According to police information, the driver stated that he was transporting the cargo from the city of Esil to Kokshetau at the request of an acquaintance. However, he was unable to provide documents confirming the legality of the transport and the origin of the goods.
For further investigation, the driver and the vehicle were taken to the police department.
WHAT ACTIONS ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT TAKING
An inspection is being conducted regarding this incident. Police remind that the transport of certain categories of cargo, including chemical substances, must be carried out with all necessary accompanying documents.
HOW THE "SAFE ROAD" OPERATION IS PROCEEDING
The "Safe Road" operational preventive operation is being conducted in the Akmola Region from 11 July 2026. According to police data, during the raids, officers have identified more than 1.7 thousand traffic violations. Efforts to ensure road safety in the region continue.
CONTEXT
Aerial application of plant protection products and fertilisers is used in agriculture, but international recommendations provide for measures to prevent the drift of sprayed substances beyond the boundaries of treated fields. Among the potential risks mentioned is the drift of aerosols onto neighbouring areas, including populated settlements.
Plant protection products include, in particular, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Herbicides are designed to destroy weed vegetation and are one of the most widely used groups of pesticides.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that pesticides can have adverse effects on human health. People in close proximity during application are at the greatest risk. The degree of potential impact depends on the specific substance, its concentration, and the conditions of use.
Previously, residents of the village of Bolshaya Churakovka in the Kostanay Region reported an aircraft that flew over the populated area, spraying substances. The akimat of the Altynsarinsky District stated that, according to preliminary information, it may have been fertilisers rather than pesticides. However, there is still no official confirmation of exactly what was sprayed or whether treatment occurred directly over the village.
