KUALA LANGAT: The police are not ruling out the possibility that e-waste factories raided through Ops Hazard were connected to organised crime syndicates, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Home Minister said police intelligence gathering revealed that there are e-waste factories still operational.
"I am also not ruling out the possibility that such premises also involve the underworld and the police are investigating it.
"The police are investigating the criminal and security element as well as the large-scale nature of the illegal e-waste activities," he told reporters after visiting a raided factory at Telok Panglima Garang on Thursday (March 6).
Saifuddin said he also gave the Prime Minister a full briefing on the raids and investigations into illegal e-waste factories.
"He (Prime Minister) has given his thoughts on how all relevant agencies, including the police, should deal with the matter.
"We will also look at the origins of e-waste containers, including all documents and other aspects as well," he said.
Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry would cooperate with other agencies, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"The investigations on illegal e-waste processing activities must end in those involved being prosecuted.
"Cooperation between various agencies must be geared towards completing the investigations credibly before the investigation papers are referred to the deputy public prosecutor," he said.
Last month, the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order (KDNKA) department revealed that RM3.8bil in items and materials were seized following raids on illegal e-waste factories nationwide since Jan 2023.
Among the items seized were RM3.4bil worth of e-waste materials as well as RM116mil of vehicles, and RM217mil of equipment.
Some 538 individuals were also detained between Jan 1 last year and Feb this year.
The MACC has frozen 61 bank accounts with a total value of RM15mil in connection with the illegal processing and disposal of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) and detained 26 individuals, including company owners, directors and enforcement officers.
The Immigration Department also detained 420 foreigners in connection with the case.
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