Kuala Lumpur: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), in collaboration with the Department of Environment (DOE), has cracked down on illegal e-waste processing operations nationwide, with seizures amounting to RM3.8 billion between January 1, 2024, and February 17, 2025. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim reported that the seizures included weighing machines and tin processing equipment.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the operation, which involved the General Operations Force, Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence, Marine Police, the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), and the DOE, resulted in the arrest of 538 individuals, including children as young as two years old and others aged up to 60, across 90 cases. “This e-waste operation was carried out in three phases: the first phase from January 1, 2024, to February 14, 2025, the second phase under Op Hazard on February 15, and the third phase from February 16 to 17,” Azmi stated during a press conference in Bukit Aman.
Also present at the press conference was DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar. Azmi highlighted that during Op Hazard alone, authorities seized RM2.68 billion worth of e-waste weighing 22.9 million kilogrammes and arrested 246 individuals. “A total of 47 target locations were raided under Op Hazard, and police also seized various facilities, including processing machines, oil, plastic, cooking blocks, and vehicles, valued at RM179.8 million,” he added.
Azmi noted that all those detained would be investigated and could face action under the Licensing of Trades, Businesses and Industries By-Laws, the Environmental Quality Act 1974, and the Immigration Act 1959/63. He emphasized, “PDRM will continue investigations to identify the masterminds behind this e-waste operation, particularly foreign nationals who act as owners and operators of these illegal factories.”
On the syndicate’s modus operandi, Azmi revealed that the raided recycling plants were registered under the names of local citizens but were actually managed by Chinese nationals through proxy arrangements. He explained that they would dismantle and separate hazardous materials from valuable metals without the necessary licences from the DOE. “E-waste contains precious metals such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium, which have high recycling value. These are processed into ingots of iron, tin, and copper before being exported abroad,” he stated.