More than Rs 2 crore in cash was recovered from an apartment in New Town, near Kolkata, following a raid on Monday that led to the arrest of seven people, including a woman, for allegedly running a hawala racket.

Acting on a tip, a joint team of the Bidhannagar police’s cybercrime unit, the detective department, and the Technocity police conducted a raid at the flat. The operation began around 3 pm and continued for nearly 12 hours, ending past midnight. The police were later seen carrying three trolley bags filled with the seized cash.

A senior police officer said the accused had rented the flat seven months ago and had been staying there for six months. Locals in the area did not suspect anything amiss as the accused allegedly pretended the apartment was being used as a call‑centre office. The police also seized two vehicles resembling ATM cash vans, a scooter, multiple laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. Police sources said the vehicles were used to transport the alleged hawala money.

The arrested individuals were taken to Technocity police station for interrogation. Police sources said that they failed to explain the source of the money or provide valid documentation. The accused will be produced in court, and the police will seek custody for further investigation.

Sources said the police will investigate how the racket was run, who was involved, and whether any influential person was behind it.