KUALA LUMPUR: From Jan 1 to April 9, a total of 394 individuals were arrested, with overall seizures amounting to RM216mil.
Central Brigade General Operations Force (GOF) commander Senior Asst Comm Hakemal Hawari said the arrests followed 140 raids conducted within the brigade’s area of responsibility.
He said the operations covered Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor.
“Various types of items were seized during the operations, with a total value of RM216mil,” he told a press conference here on Thursday (April 9).
On Op Hazard 3.0 conducted on Monday (April 6), SAC Hakemal said investigations are still ongoing to determine the origin of the e-waste brought into the country.
He said the modus operandi involved transporting e-waste directly to factories, some of which were found operating without permits, while others had permits but were still committing offences.
Meanwhile, Selangor Department of Environment director Datuk Wandi Yadzid Yaakob said the operation was led by the GOF, with the department acting as the enforcement agency under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
He said offences detected included processing e-waste without a licence, operating premises without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and improper handling of scheduled waste without approval from the Director-General of Environment.
“These offences fall under Sections 18, 19, 34A and 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127), with penalties of up to RM10mil in fines, five years’ imprisonment, or both,” he said.
SAC Hakemal added that the police, particularly the Central Brigade GOF, will continue to intensify operations to safeguard national security and maintain public order.
He also urged the public to act as the eyes and ears of the authorities by providing information on smuggling activities.
“This is to ensure the country is not infiltrated by any elements involved in illegal activities,” he said.
