KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 394 individuals have been arrested, and e-waste worth RM216mil seized, in a sweeping crackdown on illegal e-waste activities nationwide since Jan 1.
The General Operations Force’s (GOF) Central Brigade commander Senior Asst Comm Hakemal Hawari said the arrests followed 140 raids conducted across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.
“Various types of items were seized during the operations, with a total value of RM216mil,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
He said one of the key operations, Op Hazard 3.0, conducted on April 6, saw 56 foreign nationals arrested and e-waste worth RM187mil seized in coordinated raids across three states.
Those detained, aged between 30 and 50, were from China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
“The operation, which began at 10.30am, was carried out at 14 locations in Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Johor.
“All those arrested were working as e-waste factory workers,” he said.
SAC Hakemal added that the integrated operation involved the Air Operations Force, Bukit Aman’s Anti-Money Laundering Act unit, the Department of Environment (DOE), local authorities and the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).
“Of those detained, 48 are men while eight are women,” he said, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the e-waste.
“The modus operandi involves transporting e-waste directly to factories, some of which were operating without permits, while others had permits but were still committing offences,” he added.
The case is being investigated under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Trade, Business and Industrial By-Laws 2021, as well as the Income Tax Act 1967, the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, and the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Selangor DOE director Datuk Wandi Yadzid Yaakob said offences included processing e-waste without a licence, operating premises without an Environmental Impact Assessment and improper handling of scheduled waste without approval.
“These offences fall under Sections 18, 19, 34A and 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, with penalties of up to RM10mil in fines, five years’ imprisonment, or both,” he said.
SAC Hakemal said GOF will continue to intensify operations to curb smuggling and illegal activities, urging the public to channel information to the authorities.
“This is to ensure the country is not infiltrated by elements involved in illegal activities.”
