Penang police bust illegal plastic recycling plant

LocalEnvironment
27 Feb 2026 • 10:30 AM MYT
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Police raided an illegal plastic waste processing facility in Sungai Lembu, seizing machinery and materials valued at over RM2.4 million.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Police have uncovered an illegal plastic waste processing operation and seized machinery and materials worth RM2.432 million.

The raid was conducted at a premises in Sungai Lembu on February 24 following intelligence received by authorities.

General Operations Force (GOF) Northern Brigade commander SAC Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said the operation was conducted under Ops Taring Alpha 5 in collaboration with the Penang Department of Environment (DOE).

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A local man in his 40s, believed to be the owner of the facility, was detained during the raid.

“Investigations found the premises had been processing recycled plastic without approval from the Penang DOE,” Balveer Singh said in a statement.

Authorities seized several washing machines, an extruder machine, 120 sacks of unprocessed plastic waste and 100 sacks of processed plastic pellets.

The total value of the seized items is estimated at RM2.432 million.

Initial investigations indicate the facility had been operating since early 2025.

It sourced plastic waste from nearby semiconductor factories for processing.

The processed materials were then supplied to factories producing plastic-based products.

The case has been handed over to the Penang DOE for further action.

It will be investigated under Section 34A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.