Massive ED Operation Targets Coal Mafia Network
The Enforcement Directorate launched a major crackdown on Tuesday, conducting simultaneous raids at more than 40 premises across Jharkhand and West Bengal. This extensive operation targets individuals and entities allegedly involved in illegal coal mining and trading operations, widely referred to as the coal mafia.
PMLA Provisions Invoked in Nationwide Crackdown
The searches are being conducted under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to official sources, the action aims to uncover the complex web of financial transactions and identify proceeds of crime generated through illegal coal operations that have plagued the mining regions of both states.
Teams of ED officials began the coordinated operation early Tuesday morning, covering multiple locations in what appears to be one of the most significant actions against the coal mafia in recent years. The investigation focuses on tracing the money trail and identifying properties and assets acquired through illicit means.
Multi-State Operation Uncovers Illegal Network
The simultaneous raids in Jharkhand and West Bengal indicate the pan-state nature of the illegal coal operations. Sources reveal that the ED has been building this case for several months, gathering intelligence about the modus operandi of the networks involved in unauthorized coal extraction and distribution.
Documents, digital evidence, and financial records have been seized during the operation. The agency is particularly focused on identifying shell companies and benami properties that might have been used to launder the substantial profits generated from these illegal activities.
This operation marks a significant escalation in the government's efforts to combat organized crime in the mining sector. The ED's action comes amid growing concerns about the environmental damage and revenue loss caused by illegal coal mining operations in eastern India.
