The operation was led by the internal security and public order department (KDNKA), in collaboration with the wildlife crime bureau, special investigations intelligence, environmental department (JAS), and the Royal Klang City Council (MBDK).

KDNKA’s acting director Yusoff Mamat said the raid targeted seven premises involved in processing metals, plastics and electronic waste (e-waste).

“The operators had no valid documents for their activities,” he told a press conference today.

He said five Malaysians, believed to be the masterminds behind the illegal operations, were detained along with 31 foreign workers, aged between 25 and 60.

“The foreign nationals are believed to have imported technology and chemicals for illegal e-waste processing activities. These involved extracting valuable metals such as copper, iron and tin.

“The unlicensed factories were found to be employing foreign workers and generating millions of ringgit in profits.”

JAS and MBDK issued closure notices and confiscated the equipment under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and the Local Government Act 1976.

Investigations are ongoing under various laws, including Sections 22, 25, 34A, and 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, along with multiple provisions of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

All those arrested were taken to the Klang Selatan police headquarters for further action. The authorities have issued fines to the illegal businesses for operating without a licence.