ED's big action against sand smuggling racket, Raids on more than 20 locations in West Bengal

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted a series of raids at more than 20 places in West Bengal, including Kolkata. A senior official said that raids were conducted on people allegedly involved in the sand smuggling racket and their businesses. The ED is conducting raids in several areas including Behala, Regent Park, Bidhannagar and Kalyani in connection with the sand smuggling scam. A large number of central security force personnel were also present with the ED officials conducting the raids.

ED raids on Sheikh Zahirul's hideouts

The center of this raid operation was Sheikh Zahirul, a notorious sand smuggler from Jhargram in West Bengal. ED officials searched Sheikh Zahirul's residence located near the Subarnarekha river in Gopiballavpur, Jhargram. An official said, 'Jahirul's residence, office and vehicles are being searched. Jahirul is accused of being involved in illegal sand mining and its trade.' ED has seized a huge amount of cash from Sheikh Jahirul's hideout.

Action against financial network linked to illegal sand trade

Sheikh Jahirul is the owner of several sand mines. Jahirul worked in the village police and also worked as a bicycle mechanic before getting involved in sand mining. Apart from Sheikh Jahirul, ED also raided the hideouts of many other people associated with him. ED officials say that this raid operation is focused on exposing the financial network related to illegal sand trade. ED suspects that this racket has invested a large amount of money in various insurance companies and business ventures.

ED officials searched the offices of a mining company located in Behala and Salt Lake Sector-5 in Kolkata. ED officials said that several bank accounts and other documents have been seized during the raid. The company's accounts are also being investigated and employees are being questioned.