The Enforcement Directorate (ED) began raids at 22 locations in and around Kolkata Monday in connection with a probe into alleged money laundering through illegal sand mining in West Bengal. The simultaneous raids began at 6 am, with multiple teams from the central agency conducting searches in several areas, including in the Jhargram district and Behala in Kolkata.

In Jhargram, the agency is raiding a businessman’s house. He has been identified as Sheikh Zahirul Ali, a resident of Gopiballabhpur who is known to be involved in the sand business, as claimed by sources in the agency. His three-storey house, situated on the banks of the Subarnarekha River, is allegedly linked to illegal sand mining operations that have been ongoing for a considerable time. Central forces have cordoned off the entire area.

In addition to the Jhargram operation, the central agency is also conducting searches at a house in Behala’s James Long Sarani. The building is reportedly home to the office of a company suspected of involvement in the illegal sand trade. Central forces are stationed at this location also.

Sources indicate that the same organisation operates another office in Sector 5 of Salt Lake. The central agency has been conducting a long-standing investigation into illegal sand mining and is tracking the flow of illicit funds generated by this business.

In the past, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had strongly criticised lower-level officers in the West Bengal Police, accusing them of being “corrupt” and facilitating illegal activities such as coal and sand smuggling.

At a press conference in November 2024, CM Banerjee said, “Some lower-level officers, who do not like this government, including some police officers, are taking money and allowing theft in sand, coal, cement and stones… Why is the land department sitting idle? Why are they quiet? I had already asked them to call for tenders for sand and stone mining. In coal, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is taking money and allowing theft.”