Wednesday, 23 July 2025

RM19.63 mln in e-waste, goods seized in Op Hazard 2.0

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The unprocessed e-waste found by authorities in Kuching on Monday.

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KUCHING: Authorities have uncovered an illegal syndicate and seized over RM19.63 million worth of unprocessed electronic waste (e-waste), scrap goods, and assorted equipment in an enforcement operation on Monday (Jun 16).

The integrated operation, codenamed Op Hazard 2.0, targeted premises suspected of processing e-waste without valid permits from the Department of Environment (DoE).

Raids were conducted across Kuching, Bintulu, Kota Samarahan, and Sibu, involving multiple agencies including the Sarawak General Operations Force (GOF) Brigade, DoE, Immigration Department, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and local councils.

Sarawak GOF Brigade deputy commander ACP Rosdi Inai said the teams raided six locations between 10am and 9pm, arresting 20 individuals — 13 locals and seven foreigners — aged between 21 and 58.

“Further inspection led to the discovery of large quantities of suspected unprocessed e-waste, second-hand items, scrap goods and various equipment.

“The materials were seized with an estimated value of RM19,638,213.45.

“Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been illegally sourcing electronic waste from surrounding areas before transporting it to Peninsular Malaysia for extraction of valuable metals such as gold, silver, and copper,” he said in a statement.

Rosdi stated that to evade detection, the syndicate operated from remote premises and bypassed environmental regulations by processing the materials without DoE-issued permits.

Those arrested were handed over to district police headquarters (IPD) and the Immigration Department, while the seized items were sent to the Sarawak DoE and CID for further investigation.

The case is being investigated under the Section 38(1)(c), Section 18, and Section 16(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974; Section 6 of the Second-Hand Dealers Act 1946; Section 15(1)(c) and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63; and Section 18(1)(A) of the Local Authorities (Cleanliness) By Law 1999.

He added that the enforcement agencies remain committed to combat environmental crimes and ensure compliance with the law.

From Jan 1 to Jun 18, the Sarawak GOF Brigade has recorded enforcement success worth RM284.7 million, involving 228 cases, 340 arrests, and the seizure of 189 vehicles.

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