The Vigilance and Enforcement Department has booked 70 persons and seized 2,131 metric tonnes of illegally mined sand in the last six months as part of an intensified crackdown in Telangana.
According to information shared by the department, enforcement operations were conducted in 14 mandals across eight districts in March, with raids at 18 locations leading to numerous seizures, including excavators, trucks and tractors. A total of 18 FIRs were registered under laws including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the Motor Vehicles Act.
Coordinated raids along the Manjeera River and other local streams led to the seizure of 1,633 metric tonnes of sand and 13 vehicles, including tippers and tractors. Five people were detained during these actions.
shortage of LPG
Following reports of misleading LPG shortage claims, officials conducted surprise checks and uncovered illegal bottling where domestic and commercial cylinders were being filled into smaller units and sold at around ₹1,500 each. During these raids, officers seized a total of 41 full bottles and 103 empty bottles across categories. This included 23 full and 13 empty domestic bottles (14.2 kg), 7 full and 2 empty commercial bottles (19 kg), and 11 full and 26 empty small commercial bottles (5 kg). In addition, 2 empty Super Gas cylinders (14 kg) and 60 empty 5 kg cylinders were recovered.
Authorities also seized equipment used in the illegal activity, including two scales, six filling pipes and one capping machine. The accused were registered and the seized material handed over for further legal action.
The department, in coordination with agencies such as Transport, State Revenue, Mines and Geology, Forests and Police, conducted extensive checks on highways, outer ring exits and toll plazas. More than 850 vehicles were checked during the month, with more than 242 detained for violations including overloading, lack of permits and illegal transport of minerals.
In another operation, 101.81 quintals of PDS rice worth around ₹ 4.57 lakh were seized to prevent misuse of the essential commodities. The accused and seized materials have been handed over to the police and civil supply authorities for further action.
The department also conducted inspections of welfare hostels, including in Karimnagar district, to assess the infrastructure and welfare of students, the findings of which were to be forwarded to the concerned departments.
Officials said that revenue losses of ₹0.82 crore were detected during the month, while ₹13.98 crore was realized through enforcement action.
The department has urged citizens to report offenses on the toll-free number 14432.
Published – 31 March 2026 19:29 IST
