After extensive raids across West Bengal on Monday as part of an investigation into an alleged illegal sand mining racket, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly seized lakhs of rupees and other “crucial evidence”. Over 20 locations were searched, including spots in Medinipur, Jhargram, Kolkata, Nadia, and North 24 Parganas.

The raids started at 6 am on Monday and lasted over 15 hours. ED officials said they seized approximately Rs 65 lakh in cash from the residence of sand trader Sourav Roy in Jamunabali, near Midnapore city. ED teams arrived in three vehicles and raided Roy’s house early on Monday morning. A second team arrived at his home around 7.30 pm on Monday evening.

The second team of officials later departed with two bags containing the alleged recovered cash along with mobile phones and various other items. Sources said Roy owns several sand mines in Jhargram and operates his business from a large bungalow and an office in Lalgarh. He resides in Jamunabali with his family. Roy was not present at his home during the raid.

Simultaneously, a separate ED team raided the home of Sheikh Zahirul Ali in Gopiballavpur, Jhargram. Investigators reportedly recovered around Rs 25 lakh from his residence. Sources in the agency claim that an additional Rs 12 lakh was also recovered from him. Ali, a resident of Gopiballabhpur, is also known to be involved in the sand business. His three-storey house is located on the banks of the Subarnarekha River.

The raids were a result of a long-standing investigation by the central agency into the alleged flow of illicit funds generated from the alleged illegal sand trade. The searches were carried out with the support of the Central forces, which cordoned off the areas.

In addition to the raids at the businessmen’s residences, the ED also targeted the offices of a company suspected of being involved in the illegal sand trade. Searches were conducted at the company’s offices on James Long Sarani in Behala and in Sector V of Salt Lake, Kolkata.