Illegal e-waste factory raided, over RM71.8 million worth of items seized

ILLEGAL electronic waste (e-waste) processing activities at a premises in Gurun, Kedah were uncovered following a raid by authorities yesterday.

Thousands of tonnes of recyclable waste, vehicles and industrial machinery estimated to be worth RM71.8 million were seized.

Commander of the Federal Reserve Force (PSP), Senior Assistant Commissioner Rosli Md Yusof said the integrated operation was carried out by the PSP Bukit Aman Intelligence Branch, PSP 3 Penang together with the Department of Environment (DOE).

Acting on intelligence information, a raid was carried out at 11am on the premises located in the Gurun industrial area, reported Buletin TV3

A total 21 male workers - one local, one Pakistani, four Bangladeshis, six Indians and nine Myanmar nationals, were arrested.

Further inspections found various machines, heavy machinery and piles of suspected e-waste, including electrical cables, copper, aluminium and electronic components.

A total of 1,043 jumbo bags containing plastic and thousands of tonnes of other recyclable materials were also seized.

The total value of the seized items is estimated to be over RM71.8 million, involving vehicles, industrial machinery and piles of waste believed to be processed illegally.

All arrests were handed over to the Kuala Muda IPD Investigating Officer, while the Sungai Petani DOE confiscated equipment and e-waste items for further action, including chemical laboratory analysis.

The case is being investigated under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, as well as the Immigration Act 1959/63.

“This cross-agency cooperation is important to curb the activities of syndicates that try to take advantage of weaknesses in control. Investigations will continue to identify the main masterminds of this e-waste processing activity,” he said.

The operation was carried out with the involvement of various agencies, to ensure more effective and comprehensive action. - October 1, 2025