A "Datuk" businessman is among 55 individuals nabbed during raids on seven illegal electronic (e-waste) processing factories across four states.
The operation, which resulted in the seizure of RM43.19 million in assets, was executed by the IGP Secretariat's Anti-Money Laundering (AMLA) division, in collaboration with the General Operations Force (PGA) of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).
According to reports from Harian Metro, the raids took place in Salong, Pekan, Bukit Ibam in Pahang, Kuang, Rawang, Bukit Tagar in Selangor, Rembau and Gemencheh in Negeri Sembilan and Simpang Renggam in Johor.
Datuk Muhammed Hasbullah Ali, head of Bukit Aman AMLA, stated that the arrests during Op E-Waste involved 10 locals and 45 foreigners aged between 30 and 50 years.
"The raids were conducted following information from the public and based on our intelligence gathering," he revealed during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
He explained that the factories had been operating since last year, processing e-waste by burning it, which caused air pollution.
These unlicensed factories imported e-waste from various Asian countries, processed it into metal blocks, and sold it overseas for millions of ringgit.
"The factory operators also employed foreign workers without proper permits," Hasbullah added.
The local suspects have been remanded for five to seven days, while the foreigners are detained for 14 days. The police are still tracking down several individuals believed to be the factory owners.
Police also seized assets including metal blocks, pallets of e-waste, vehicles, and machinery, worth a total of RM43.1 million.
"The locals detained were landowners, while the foreigners nabbed consisted of technicians and experts in e-waste processing," Hasbullah concluded. – August 13, 2024.
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