KOTA KINABALU: Complaints of a chemical stench by villagers led to the discovery of illegal scheduled waste kept in a warehouse.

       Over 1,000 intermediate bulk containers (IBC) illegally storing the waste was found by enforcement officers during a raid.

       State Environment Department (DOE) director Amirul Aripin said the discovery was made during the joint raid by officers from the department, police and Kota Kinabalu City Hall at a warehouse in Kampung Kembirian, Menggatal on Tuesday.

       “Samples have been taken for analysis, but we suspect this is waste from oil extraction activities at sea, categorised as SW311 (waste oil or oil sludge).

       “There was no one there when we raided the place, but we believe we will find the culprits later,” he said at the scene yesterday.

       Amirul added the case is being investigated under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, and those found guilty can be jailed up to five years and fined RM500,000.

       On June 26, the department received a complaint from a villager about the diesel-like smell from the area. It was followed by more reports by other villagers there.

       An investigation team went to the area and found that the smell came from the warehouse. They saw lorries coming in and out of the warehouse, believed to be transporting the waste.

       After carrying out surveillance for about a week, 25 officers from the departments raided the place on Tuesday.

       Amirul said based on the labels on the containers, the illegal activity was carried out since early this year.