KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly RM42mil worth of materials and equipment were seized following raids on six illegal ewaste processing facilities in Pandamaran, Klang.
The facilities raided were operating without licences and not registered, police said.
“They were able to generate millions of ringgit in profits,” said Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) acting director Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat.
He said six locals and 43 foreigners aged between 22 and 60 were detained during the operation.
“The locals detained were the coordinators, who collected profits from the illegal ewaste activities conducted.
“The facilities also employed foreigners for ewaste processing,” he said.
The raids were conducted by the Wildlife Crime Bureau under the Bukit Aman KDNKA, along with other agencies, including the Environment Department (DOE), IGP secretariat’s Anti-Money Laundering Division and National Water Services Commission (SPAN), last Thursday.
DCP Mohd Yusoff said they seized various electronic materials which would have been processed into metals such as copper, tin and steel.
“Among other materials seized were 2,800kg of stainless steel, 83,700kg of aluminium, 6,000kg of steel, 6,000kg of solid iron, 10,500kg of CPUs (central processing units), 3,000kg of batteries, 37,000kg of copper, 30,000kg of plastics, 103,000kg of cables, 50 ewaste processing machines and 14 sets of transport machinery.
“All the items are worth RM41.58mil,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Illegally disposing of ewaste and plastics, which contain toxic materials, could lead to serious health complications to those exposed to them, DCP Mohd Yusoff added.
Those detained were brought to the South Klang district police headquarters for further action.
“The local authority also issued compounds to the facilities for not having valid business licences while the DOE sealed the premises involved and issued compounds under the Environmental Quality Act 1974,” he said.
In another case, a local man was detained for illegal possession of wildlife and firearms following a raid in Taman Gasing Indah in the city on Sept 10, DCP Mohd Yusoff said.
“Several items and wildlife seized included a pig-nosed tortoise, ivory, five bird cages, an air rifle, two air pistols and a box of pellets.
“Altogether, the items seized were worth RM269,720,” he said.
DCP Mohd Yusoff said RM418,240mil worth of items had been seized between Jan 1 and Sept 14 in 134 raids conducted on illegal ewaste facilities and smuggling, and 383 individuals detained during the period.
He urged those with information on such illegal activities to contact the police.
“We need the cooperation of the public to curb such crimes,” he said.
