IPOH: Over 34.5 tonnes of minerals and tin ore were seized and 27 people were arrested during Op Bersepadu Khazanah in Kampar.General Operations Force Northern Brigade commander Senior Asst Comm Shahrum Hashim said the raid followed a month long investigation at an illegal quarry site on Wednesday (Oct 22).
He said items seized included 4.5 tonnes of tin ore, 60 jumbo bags containing 30 tonnes of coarse minerals, processing machines and machinery worth about RM28,732,000.
He said those arrested comprised seven local men aged 19 to 76, one 76 year old local woman, 10 men from China aged 32 to 62, eight men from Bangladesh aged 28 to 44, and one 33 year old Nepalese man.
“One of the Chinese nationals is the site manager,” he said.
“All the foreign workers were found to have misused their visitors’ passes,” he added.
He said the operation also involved the state Land and Mines Department and the Mineral and Geoscience Department.
SAC Shahrum said the illegal mining operation had run since July 2024.
“The case will be investigated under Section 426 of the National Land Code and the Perak Minerals Enactment,” he said.
“Those found guilty can be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed up to five years, or both,” he added.
He said foreigners who overstayed will be investigated under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act.
“They can be fined up to RM10,000 or jailed up to five years, or both,” he said.
SAC Shahrum said the operation helped save national resources from being stolen by irresponsible parties.
“We will continue efforts to deter illegal activities in Perak, Penang, Perlis and Kedah,” he added.
