ED raids 22 locations across Bengal in illegal sand mining, money laundering probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been conducting raids at 22 locations all across Bengal, including Kolkata, from Monday 6 am in connection with a probe into alleged money laundering through illegal sand mining in West Bengal.

Simultaneous raids are being conducted in Kolkata's Behala at the office of G.D. Mining, which is also involved in the sand-trading business, and Saltlake. In addition to that, raids are being conducted in several locations in Jhargram's Gopiballavpur, Nadia district's Kalyani, North 24 Parganas, and several other locations.

Multiple teams from the central agency are conducting raids and searches in these 22 locations.

A businessman, Sheikh Zahirul Ali's residence in Jhargram's Gopiballavpur is being raided who is allegedly involved in the sand business, as claimed by sources in the agency. His three-storey house, located on the banks of the Subarnarekha River, is allegedly linked to illegal sand mining operations. The central agency teams are raiding in six locations of Gopiballavpur's blocks I and II. Sources said that due to the huge demand for sand available at the banks of the Subarnarekha River, the same was sold in the open markets at double the government rates.

In Behala’s Sakher Bazar area, a building is being raided which is the office of a company suspected of involvement in the illegal sand trade. Central forces are stationed at this location also. The same organisation's office is also being raided in Sector 5 of Salt Lake. The central agency has been conducting a probe into illegal sand mining and is tracking money laundering of funds.

Each team of the raiding ED officials is escorted by the members of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel.