Kolkata/Ranchi: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is carrying out coordinated raids across more than 40 locations in West Bengal and Jharkhand in connection with the alleged illegal mining, transportation and storage of coal. This racket is said to have cost the exchequer several hundreds of crores.
Over 100 officers and security personnel are involved in the search operations, an official said. This action is being taken under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Huge piles of unaccounted for cash and jewellery have been seized during the raids so far, the official said.
In Jharkhand, the agency is covering about 18 locations as part of the investigation. Premises linked to Anil
Goyal, Sanjay Udhyog, L B Singh, and Amar Mandal are among those being covered, the official said.
In Dhanbad, the ED zeroed in on coal trader L B Singh, raiding his home and business establishments from 6 am. At least 16 premises linked to him were covered, including sites in the Dev Bila area.
There was drama after Singh allegedly released his pet dogs inside his residential compound to block entry. He remained inside the house as teams attempted to secure access.
In West Bengal, searches are on at as many as 24 premises spread across Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah and Kolkata. According to the agency, properties linked to Narendra Kharka, Anil Goyal, Yudhistir Ghosh, Krishna Murari Kayal and others are being examined as part of the probe.
The premises being raided include residential properties, offices, coke plants and illegal toll collection booths.
This operation is being described by officials as a coordinated push against entrenched coal mafias operating across state lines, aimed at mapping financial flows and securing evidence tied to long-running extraction and transport rackets.