KOTA KINABALU: Illegal e-waste and car battery storage activities were uncovered in an integrated operation conducted on Monday (April 6).
During these raids that were conducted simultaneously nationwide, two locations in Penampang and Sandakan were found to have been turned into illegal e-waste storage units, while items worth over RM720,000 were confiscated.
The operation dubbed Ops Hazard by marine police, Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and the Sabah Environment Department, saw items such as car batteries, computer equipment, washing machine and other used electrical equipment seized.
Sabah marine police Region 4 commander Asst Comm Ahmad Amri Abd Rahman said inspections on these premises found that the items were stored without any permits.
“Eight tonnes of used car batteries were stored illegally in Penampang, while in Sandakan, we found various types of e-waste, including car batteries, electronics and electrical appliances stored without permits,” he said in a statement.
Checks by LHDN also found that both premises failed to present complete tax-related documents, he said.
ACP Ahmad said the case was also later handed over to the Environment Department to be investigated.
“All seized items were valued around RM720,998,” he said, adding that similar crackdowns would be conducted from time to time.
