RANCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized over ₹14 crore in cash and jewellery during coordinated raids in Jharkhand and West Bengal on November 21. The searches were part of an ongoing investigation into a major illegal coal mining and smuggling network operating across both states.
The ED said the searches were carried out under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002). Officials targeted individuals and companies suspected of involvement in coal theft, illegal transportation, and black-market sales. During the operation, officers also recovered property deeds, land-related documents, digital devices, financial papers, and company account books believed to be linked to the accused.
Raids Across Jharkhand and West Bengal
In Jharkhand, ED officials raided 20 locations in Dhanbad and Dumka. These premises were connected to Lal Bahadur Singh, Anil Goyal, Sanjay Khemka, Amar Mondal, and several others.
In West Bengal, teams searched 24 locations in Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah, and Kolkata. The searches included residences, business offices, illegal toll points, and coke plants linked to Narendra Kharka, Krishna Murari Kayal, Yudhishthir Ghosh, Raj Kishore Yadav, Lokesh Singh, Chinmay Mondal, and Nirad Baran Mondal.
More than 100 ED officials, supported by CRPF personnel, took part in the operation.
Documents Indicate a Wide Illegal Network
The raids follow several FIRs filed in both states. These FIRs allege that a large organised group has been moving coal from Jharkhand into West Bengal using forged or invalid transport documents.
According to the ED, seized diaries, registers, digital data, and other documents confirm that the illegal supply chain has operated for a long time. The evidence also points to possible involvement of local authorities.
Investigators also recovered entries related to illegal cash collections and beneficiary lists. These records provide crucial details about how money flowed within the suspected cartel.
Syndicate Generated Huge Illegal Profits
The ED stated that the group was most active in border districts and generated “huge proceeds of crime.” The agency added that the examination of seized materials is ongoing. More developments, including possible arrests, are expected as the investigation progresses.
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