KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM582mil worth of electronic waste (e-waste) was seized while more than 500 people were detained following a massive operation nationwide.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the integrated operation, codenamed Ops Hazard 3.0, was conducted on Monday, targeting 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 foreigners aged between 16 and 70,” he told a press conference in Bukit Aman yesterday.
Mohd Khalid said 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 RM7.5mil.
“We also seized 1,925 tonnes of scrap materials worth RM11.6mil, bringing total seizures to RM582mil,” he added.
The IGP said 42 of the raided premises were identified as illegal factories processing e-waste.
“We performed checks on 868 individuals and 223 investigation papers have been opened.
“Among the offences detected were violations under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005 as well as other related laws,” he said.
Mohd Khalid said 74 compounds totalling RM110,700 were issued while seven bank accounts with RM670,000 in funds were frozen under anti-money laundering laws.
“Additionally, 24 investigation papers were opened by the Inland Revenue Board to probe tax leakages,” he added.
Mohd Khalid said the operation, conducted across 11 states involving 2,147 personnel, was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal e-waste syndicates.
“We will not compromise with any party involved in these illegal activities,” he said.
On another matter, the IGP confirmed that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was not involved in allegations of a corporate mafia so far, following initial investigations.
“We are conducting further investigations into the matter.
“Several individuals have been identified, including those within and outside the country and will be called in to assist investigations.
“Cases involving individuals overseas will require cooperation at both government-to-government and agency-to-agency levels,” he added.
Previously, the police confirmed raids on several premises linked to businessman Victor Chin, with documents seized to assist investigations.
Chin has denied involvement in a corporate mafia, although he did not deny the group’s existence in a statement to Bloomberg.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil had said the Cabinet had instructed the police and relevant agencies, including the MACC, to investigate the corporate mafia allegations.
