Berhampur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday recovered an almirah stuffed with cash estimated at over Rs 2 crore during simultaneous searches at more than 20 locations in Odisha’s Ganjam district as part of an ongoing probe into illegal mining and related money laundering activities.
Several high-end vehicles and documents pertaining to immovable properties were also seized during the raids, targeting properties linked to alleged mining “mafias” and their associates involved in the unauthorised extraction and trade of minor minerals, primarily sand and black stone (also known as murum or road metal).
Officials said the operation is being carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the full tally of seizures and other recoveries will be disclosed only after its completion.
Some reports have linked the raids to Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Ganjam district vice-president and contractor Hrushikesh Padhi and his three sons and businessman Biswanath Patra of Bijipur in Berhampur.
