KOTA TINGGI: A raid at an illegal scrap processing factory located along Jalan Lombong here led to a discovery of over 46,000kg of electronic waste (e-waste) but also parts of a commercial plane and other materials worth RM23.8mil.
Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said, besides the e-waste, police also found bullets and bullet casings within the factory that has been operating for about four months prior to the operation.
“Acting on intelligence, police conducted a raid at the factory located at an industrial area along Jalan Lombong at around 4pm on Friday (March 7).
“During the operation, police also arrested three foreign suspects, who are workers at the factory, aged between 20 and 50.
“All three suspects, who are foreigners, are believed to be from China and Myanmar,” said Supt Yusof during a press conference held at the location here on Saturday (March 8).
He added that among the items seized include 46,214kg of electronic items, 103,983kg of compacted electronic components, 369,954kg of copper, 29,085kg of metal scrap, 22,791kg of compacted electrical wires and 43 iron coils.
Supt Yusof said police also seized 10 barrels containing lead balls and iron powder, seven barrels of bullet casings, a barrel containing ammunition, three forklifts, a car and three mobile phones at the premises.
“We deployed 20 personnel to the premise to help us go through and weigh all of the items.
“We also found parts of a commercial plane, including its components, that we believe are a plane gearbox,” he added.
Supt Yusoff also said that investigations revealed the factory had been operating illegally for the past four months without any valid licenses, including permits for e-waste processing and firearms-related authorisation.
“They are believed to be involved in the illegal storage and processing of electronic waste and hazardous materials.
“This syndicate not only poses a threat to public safety but also has the potential to harm the environment due to the uncontrolled disposal of processed e-waste,” he added.
“The discovery of seven barrels of bullet casings and one barrel containing live ammunition is highly concerning, as these items could be misused for criminal activities if they fall into the wrong hands,” he said.
He added that police were actively investigating the syndicate’s network, including the source of the seized electronic waste and ammunition.
Supt Yusof said the case was being investigated under Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960 for possession of bullet casings and live ammunition without authorisation, as well as the Environmental Quality Act 1974 for the illegal storage of electronic waste.
He added that the suspects, who tested negative for drugs, were being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for failing to provide valid work documents.
“All three suspects have been remanded for four days until Tuesday (March 11) to assist in the investigation,” he said, adding that police would not tolerate any illegal activities and will take firm action to ensure public safety and order.
Meanwhile, Kota Tinggi District Council president Muhamad Syahrizat Alwee, who was also present during the press conference, said that the factory will be sealed until next Saturday (March 15).
Syahrizat added that the facility was previously an electronics factory but was shut down before the syndicate began using it for illegal operations.
