PORT KLANG: An illicit operation processing electronic waste (e-waste) concealed behind a scrap goods business has been uncovered after the marine police force (PPM) Region 1 seized various equipment, including scheduled waste items valued at RM33.18mil, in a raid at the Meru Industrial Park, Kapar, on Thursday (March 6), Malay language daily Sinar Harian reports.
The operation, conducted at around 11am, was the result of information and intelligence gathered ibn collaboration with the Selangor Environment Department (DOE).
PPM Region 1 commander Asst Comm Rusley Chi Ari said that the licensed premises were believed to be conducting illegal activities under the guise of a legitimate scrap goods collection licence.
He explained that the syndicate used the tactic of placing heaps of scrap goods at the front of the factory to mislead the authorities.
"Investigations found that this premises only had a licence to collect scrap goods but was illegally processing electronic waste at the back of the factory using special machines to extract valuable materials like copper and aluminium.
"Foreign workers were left as caretakers of the premises during the day to give the impression that the factory was merely a used goods collection centre," he tikd Sinar Harian.
He made these remarks at a press conference at the Port Klang Marine Police Force Operations Base on Friday (March 7).
ALSO READ: Cops investigate possible link between illegal e-waste factories, organised crime
According to ACP Rusley, a 30-year-old local man, who was the caretaker of the premises, was detained to assist in the investigation.
He said the inspection found 1.23 million kilogrammes of e-waste categorised as scheduled waste under the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005.
"Among the items seized were 16,100kg of copper, 112,000kg of unprocessed aluminium, 207,900kg of processed aluminium, and 868,500kg of mixed e-waste, with a total value reaching RM33.18mil.
"Also confiscated were three forklifts, two weighing machines, a lorry, a dewatering machine, and three conveyor machines," he said.
ACP Rusley added that the syndicate was believed to have obtained e-waste from abroad, which was then reprocessed and exported, while scheduled waste was left in the country without safe disposal.
"This activity not only provides significant profits to the syndicate but also leaves a long-term environmental pollution impact," he said.
He noted that efforts to track down the premises' owner, believed to be a local, are actively underway.
"The case is being investigated under Section 18(1), Section 19, and Section 34A(6) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 for further action," he said.
