ED's crackdown on illegal sand mining; Raids in Behala and 21 other locations

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a major operation on Monday, conducting simultaneous raids at 22 locations across West Bengal in connection with a money laundering probe tied to alleged illegal sand mining. The extensive search operation, which began at 6 a.m., saw multiple teams from the central agency descending on various sites, including a key location in the Jhargram district and an office in Kolkata's Behala area.

In Jhargram, the central agency's focus was on a prominent local businessman, identified as Sheikh Zahirul Ali. Known for his involvement in the sand business, Ali's three-storey residence, situated strategically on the banks of the Subarnarekha River in Gopiballabhpur, is suspected of being a central hub for long-standing illegal sand mining operations. The entire area was swiftly cordoned off by central forces to ensure the smooth conduct of the search.

Meanwhile, a parallel raid was underway in Kolkata, where an ED team, accompanied by central forces, conducted a search at a building on James Long Sarani in Behala. This location is believed to house the office of a company reportedly involved in the illicit sand trade. The simultaneous operations underscore the scale and coordinated nature of the investigation.

Sources within the agency suggest that the same organization operates another office in Salt Lake's Sector 5, indicating a wider network of operations. The ED has been meticulously investigating the illegal sand mining racket for an extended period, focusing on tracking the flow of funds generated from this illicit business. The current raids are a significant development in that ongoing probe.

The investigation is centered on how a network of individuals and businesses are allegedly operating illegally, bypassing government regulations. Authorities are particularly interested in uncovering the mechanisms of corruption and how the sand is being sold at inflated prices, well above the government's regulated rates, to generate black money.