11 foreigners nabbed in Penang e-waste bust

PETALING JAYA: Police arrested 11 foreigners after busting an illegal electronic waste processing and storage facility in Bukit Tengah, Penang, yesterday.

Acting Seberang Perai Tengah police chief Norazizi Saad said the operation around noon yesterday also involved the environment department, the state land and mines office and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).

Officers seized 80 compressed e-waste blocks and eight jumbo bags containing computer components and motherboards, which Norazizi said were worth millions of ringgit.

He said the environment department took samples of the seized items for analysis to determine whether they fell under scheduled waste regulations.

He added that MBSP issued two compound notices to the owner of the premises for operating a storage facility without a valid licence.

Norazizi also said the 11 detained, aged 26 to 59, included 10 who had breached their travel pass conditions and one who did not have valid travel documents.

They have been remanded until July 20 to assist in investigations under the Immigration Act.