ED Raids Sand-Smuggling Rackets in West Bengal: Key Details from Latest Operations
Kolkata is buzzing with action as Enforcement Directorate (ED) teams kick off major raids on sand-smuggling rackets across West Bengal. Starting early Monday morning, officials are carrying out parallel search operations at three key spots in the state. This marks the first time the ED has targeted sand smuggling here, and it’s all about cracking down on illegal activities worth hundreds of crores of rupees.
The raids are happening simultaneously at Behala on Kolkata’s southern edge, Gopiballavpur in Jhargram district, and Kalyani in Nadia district. Each ED team has backup from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel to ensure smooth operations. Let’s break down what we know so far about these sand smuggling raids in West Bengal.
In Gopiballavpur, the focus is on the home of Sheikh Zahirul Ali, a key player in the sand trading business. His residence sits right near the Subarnarekha River, where much of the illegal sand extraction took place. Locals reveal that Sheikh once worked as a contractual village policeman for the West Bengal government. He quit that job to dive into running his own sand trading operations. Sources say the ED has been searching the place since dawn, hunting for evidence linked to the smuggling racket.
Over in Behala, ED officials are raiding the office of G.D. Mining, another outfit deep in the sand trading game. This company also runs an office in Sector-V, Salt Lake on Kolkata’s northern side. Word is, more raids could hit there soon as the investigation heats up. These moves show how the ED is zeroing in on the networks behind West Bengal’s sand smuggling issues.
Details are still sketchy about the raid in Kalyani, Nadia district, but expect updates as things progress. According to ED estimates, these sand smuggling rackets in West Bengal rake in massive profits—hundreds of crores of rupees. The high demand for sand from the Subarnarekha River banks means smugglers sell it in open markets at double the official government rates. To pull this off, racketeers often forge mining permits issued by the state, making illegal extraction easier and more widespread.
This fresh crackdown highlights the growing fight against illegal sand mining in India, especially in states like West Bengal where riverbed resources are under threat. Stay tuned for more on how these ED raids unfold and what they uncover about the sand smuggling networks.
