KUALA LUMPUR: Police have seized RM582mil worth of electronic waste (e-waste) and other material while arresting 515 people in a nationwide crackdown under Ops Hazard 3.0.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the integrated operation, launched on Monday (April 6), targeted illegal e-waste processing activities across the country.
"A total of 110 raids were conducted nationwide, leading to the arrest of 515 individuals, including locals and foreign nationals aged between 16 and 70," he told a press conference at Bukit Aman on Friday (April 10).
He added that 6,378 tonnes of e-waste worth RM455mil were seized, along with 377 tonnes of processed materials such as aluminium, copper and tin valued at RM7.4mil.
"We also confiscated 1,925 tonnes of scrap materials worth RM11.6mil, with other seizures bringing the total value to RM582mil," he said.
Khalid said 42 of the raided premises were identified as illegal factories involved in processing e-waste.
In total, 223 investigation papers have been opened, with 868 individuals inspected during the operation.
"Offences detected included violations under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005, as well as other related laws," he said.
He added that authorities also issued 74 compound notices amounting to RM110,700, while seven bank accounts worth RM670,000 were frozen under anti-money laundering laws.
Additionally, 24 investigation papers were opened by the Inland Revenue Board to probe tax leakages linked to the activities.
Khalid said the operation, conducted across 11 states involving 2,147 personnel, was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal e-waste syndicates.
He warned that such activities pose serious risks to public health, the environment and national security, and often involve other crimes such as corruption and abuse of power.
"We will not compromise with any party involved in these illegal activities," he said, urging the public to act as the authorities' eyes and ears by providing information.
