The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday launched simultaneous raids at several locations in West Bengal in connection with alleged sand smuggling, a senior official said.
ED raids target individuals who are allegedly involved in fraud, he said.
Several ED teams raided offices in Bentinck Street area of Kolkata, Lalgarh and Gopiballavpur in Jhargram district. Another raid was conducted at the residence of a businessman in Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district, the official informed.
“These raids are part of our investigation into illegal sand mining. ED operations started from early morning,” he said.
ED officials are collecting business records, financial documents and properties related to the scam, according to the official.
Why does the ED conduct raids?
On September 8, the ED launched a series of coordinated raids at more than 20 locations across West Bengal, including Kolkata, targeting individuals and businesses allegedly involved in sand smuggling, a senior official said.
Raids were conducted in several areas including Behala, Regent Park, Bidhannagar and Kalyani in connection with the scam, he said.
The ED officials conducting the raids were accompanied by a large number of Central Security Force personnel.
At the center of the operation was Sheikh Jahirul, a prominent figure in the rocket attack in Jhargram district in the southern part of the state. ED sleuths were conducting searches at his sprawling residence near the Subarnarekha river in Gopiballavpur, he added.
“He is accused of being heavily involved in illegal sand mining and sand trading,” the official said, adding that a huge amount of cash was seized from his premises.
Incidentally, Jahirul, who owns several sand mines, used to be a bicycle mechanic before working as a village policeman and eventually switched to sand trading, he added.
ED officials simultaneously raided properties and offices of other sand mine owners in Beliaberia and Jamboni blocks of Jhargram district.
“The operation is aimed at uncovering financial networks linked to the illegal sand trade. We suspect that a significant amount of money from this racket has been channeled to various insurance companies and business enterprises,” he said.
