IPOH: An illegal electronic waste (e-waste) processing factory operating for the past four years in Kampung Kepayang, near Simpang Pulai was raided following a large-scale multi-agency operation across three northern states.
General Operations Force (GOF) Northern Brigade commander Senior Asst Comm Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said the raid carried out at 7am on Monday (April 6) under Op Hazard Mega 3.0, involved the police alongside the Environment Department, Immigration Department, Inland Revenue Board, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
He said the ops, was conducted simultaneously in Perak, Penang, and Kedah, targeting a total of 20 premises suspected of illegal e-waste activities.
“In Perak, enforcement teams raided a factory in Kampung Kepayang believed to have been operating without approval, processing imported electronic waste into metal components for resale.
“An estimated 225,000kg of e-waste, along with 800 jumbo bags filled with discarded electronic materials, were seized.
“Various heavy machinery used for processing and a diesel tank containing about 20,000 litres were also confiscated,” he said, adding that a total value of seized items is estimated at RM18mil.
SAC Balveer Singh said a total of 26 foreign nationals, aged between 18 and 49, were detained during the raid. They comprised of Myanmar Indian nationals.
“Beyond Perak, authorities also inspected 19 other premises, seven each in Kedah and Penang, and five in Perak all of which were found to be operating illegal e-waste processing activities.
“Investigations revealed that the premises were handling and processing e-waste without approval from the Department of Environment, in breach of environmental laws.
The case in Perak has been handed over to the state DOE for further investigation.
