RM2.1 Mil Worth Of Aluminium Ingots From E-waste Seized - Melaka Police

MELAKA, July 15 (Bernama) -- Police today seized 300 tonnes of aluminium ingots, believed to have been produced from dismantled and smelted electronic waste (e-waste), during a raid on an illegal factory in the Bukit Rambai industrial area.

Melaka police chief, Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar, said that the initial estimated value of the seizure was RM2.1 million, making it one of the largest e-waste-related confiscations in the state to date.

He said that the raid followed a week-long surveillance operationand involved multiple agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), through the Special Branch and Melaka Tengah Criminal Investigation Department (CID), along with the Department of Environment (DOE) and the state Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

“The raid was carried out at around 11 am, and the factory is believed to have been operating illegally for the past three to four months. Previous records also show that the premises were issued with summonses last year for other offences,” he said, at a press conference held at the raid site, today.

“Also seized were raw materials from various electronic items, including remote controls and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, which had yet to be processed,” he added.

A total of 25 foreign workers, aged between 20 and 45, and comprising Chinese, Bangladeshi, and Myanmar nationals, were also detained during the raid.

He added that the electronic waste was believed to have been imported from abroad, to be dismantled and processed locally before being re-exported, likely to China and other countries with high demand.

“As we know, developed nations do not permit such activities on their soil due to the environmental and health risks involved,” he added.

“We believe that this syndicate may be exploiting Malaysia as a transit hub, and investigations are underway to determine if other companies are part of a wider illegal e-waste processing network,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 29(1) of the Minor Offences Act and Section 55(1)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. If convicted, those involved could face fines of up to RM10 million, under provisions enforced by the Department of Environment.

--BERNAMA