BUKIT MERTAJAM: Police uncovered unauthorised electronic waste (e‑waste) processing at a factory in the Asas Jaya Light Industrial Estate here on Wednesday (March 4), seizing materials worth RM350,000.
Seberang Perai Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Helmi Aris said a 44-year-old foreign worker was arrested during the 1.30pm raid, codenamed Ops Hazard.
"During the inspection, we found that the premises were being used to process e-waste and worn-out items, including mobile phones, tablets and electronic motherboards.
"The factory is believed to have been carrying out e-waste processing activities without the required permission from the relevant authorities," he said in a statement on Thursday.
According to ACP Helmi, the operation led to the seizure of four jumbo bags of e-waste and scrap, including copper coils, and nine sacks containing tablets, mobile phones and motherboards, with a total value of RM350,000.
He said initial investigations found that the factory was registered under a local company and had been operating since early 2023 with approval to carry out buying and selling of used goods and recycling activities.
ACP Helmi said that further investigations are ongoing to determine whether there have been any violations of electronic waste management laws.
"The detained foreign national is being investigated under Section 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, while all seized items have been handed over to the Penang Environment Department for further action," he added
He added that the integrated police operation was conducted in collaboration with the Penang Environment Department, the state Inland Revenue Board and the Seberang Perai City Council, based on public tip-offs and intelligence gathering.
Helmi said the police, together with enforcement agencies, would continue to intensify efforts to combat illegal e-waste processing activities, which could pose a risk to the environment and public safety. - Bernama
