GOF Raids E-waste Processing Factory Involving Over RM6 Mln Seizure

KUANTAN, June 23 (Bernama) -- The General Operations Force’s (GOF) Southeast Brigade yesterday detained a man and seized a range of items, including electronic waste (e-waste) components worth over RM6.48 million, during an Op Hazard raid on a factory in Gambang.

Its commander, Ahmad Radzi Hussain, said the raid, carried out between about 3 pm and 8 pm, was launched after intelligence from the 7th Battalion’s intelligence unit in Kuantan, with support from the Pahang Department of Environment (DOE), Kuantan City Council (MBK) and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).

He said a 27-year-old local man, who claimed to be the factory manager, was detained after failing to produce documents for items stored on the premises.

“A search of the premises revealed a range of items, including 20 tonnes of e-waste, 40 high-pressure sodium vapour lamps, 30 ring main unit switchgears, 10 intermediate bulk container tanks of 1,000 litres each, 8,000 litres of transformer oil and 400 litres of diesel.

“The seizure consisted of five jumbo sacks of computer motherboards weighing five tonnes, 15 jumbo sacks of electronic goods weighing 15 tonnes, a 550kg sack of copper, and equipment used for oil suction, alongside other electrical components, with an estimated value of RM6,489,340,” he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Radzi said preliminary investigations showed that the items belonged to a company based in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, and were believed to have been transported to the site for dismantling before being returned to the company’s premises.

He also said the premises were believed to have been used as a temporary storage facility and operated without a valid licence.

Ahmad Radzi said items involving diesel had been handed over to KPDN for further action, while electronic waste would be handed over to the Pahang DOE, and MBK would seize all goods from the premises for operating illegally.

Investigations are being carried out under Section 8 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, Section 38(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, and Section 2 of the Business and Industrial Licensing By-Laws 1992.

-- BERNAMA