Quick Reads
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out coordinated searches at more than 40 locations across Jharkhand and West Bengal on 21 November 2025 in connection with alleged coal theft and illegal mining.
- Operations began early morning and involved over 100 ED officers, the agency said.
- Searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act (PMLA); officials report seizures of cash and gold jewellery at some sites.
The ED’s Ranchi zonal office led action at a cluster of locations linked to separate probes; investigations target networks accused of illegal extraction, transport and sale of coal.
Crackdown on the coal syndicate: ED steps up money-trail hunt
The Enforcement Directorate on Friday mounted a large-scale operation against alleged coal-theft and illegal mining syndicates, searching more than 40 premises across Jharkhand and West Bengal. The raids — which began early in the morning and were coordinated by the ED’s Ranchi office and other field teams — form part of a PMLA money-laundering probe into alleged financial networks behind illegal coal extraction, smuggling and sale.
Officials said the searches covered locations tied to companies, contractors and individuals under investigation; at least one set of searches (around 18 sites) was run from the Ranchi zonal office, which is handling parallel probes that investigators say point to a larger syndicate operating across state borders.
ED Seizes Cash and Gold Jewellery in Early-Morning Raids, Probes Money Trail in Coal Theft Case
Teams seized cash and gold jewellery during early-morning raids at multiple locations to trace the proceeds of crime and map fund movements through bank accounts and shell companies. The Enforcement Directorate is examining records, electronic devices, and transaction documents collected during these searches.
Police FIRs and earlier state-level probes into illegal mining in border areas of Jharkhand and West Bengal have contributed to the central agency’s money trail investigation. While no arrests have been made yet, searches and evidence collection continue as officials work to uncover financial links and beneficiaries. The operation aims to dismantle entrenched coal theft networks that launder money into the formal economy, with further steps expected after forensic analysis of seized materials.
Conclusion
The Enforcement Directorate’s ongoing operation targets a vast coal theft and money laundering network spanning Jharkhand and West Bengal. By seizing assets and scrutinizing financial records, the agency aims to dismantle entrenched criminal syndicates and recover illicit proceeds, with further developments expected as investigations continue.
