IPOH: Police have dismantled an illegal kaolin processing operation in Simpang Pulai, seizing materials and equipment worth an estimated RM20.88mil.
General Operations Force (GOF) Northern Brigade commander SAC Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said the raid, carried out on Monday (March 16) under Ops Bersepadu Khazanah saw the arrests of two men, a Malaysian in his 70s and a Myanmar national in his 30s.
He said the two suspects believed to be involved in processing the mineral without approval from authorities.
"Investigations revealed that the factory was carrying out a full-scale processing operation involving crushing, mixing with water, filtration, impurity separation, concentration, pressure filtration, drying and grinding to produce high-grade kaolin.
"The facility processed white clay by filtering, washing and separating it into sand and pure kaolin before selling it at higher prices in both local and international markets," he said in a statement on Tuesday (March 17).
The operation was conducted by the police through GOF, in collaboration with the Perak Minerals and Geoscience Department, and the Ipoh police headquarters.
SAC Balveer Singh said among the items seized were various processing machines and heavy machinery, along with 354,000kg of fully processed high-grade kaolin, 17,000 pieces of processed kaolin, 95,000kg of stockpiled processed material, and 50,000kg of unprocessed white clay.
He said the case is being investigated under the Mineral Development Act 1994 and the Mineral Development (Licensing) Regulations 2016, which carry a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both upon conviction.
The local suspect, believed to be a heavy machinery operator at the factory, has been referred to the Minerals and Geoscience Department for further action.
"Meanwhile, the foreign suspect is being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for failing to produce valid identification documents.
"Enforcement, and patrols would be intensified across Perak and neighbouring states to curb illegal activities.
"The public are urged share any information on unlawful activities with the police to assist in ongoing investigations," he said.
