The raids kicked off in Nabagram, where teams scrutinized sites implicated in coal theft from government-owned Eastern Coalfields Limited. Parallel actions in Durgapur and Pandaveshwar aimed to dismantle a sand smuggling empire led by a prominent figure known for his opulent lifestyle.

This sand baron, who relocated from Panagarh to a palatial Durgapur bungalow just two years back, had jetted off to Dubai recently – a move that raised red flags for money laundering ties. A three-member ED squad, supported by central forces, faced stiff resistance at his doorstep but eventually gained access, extending searches to his sibling’s residence.

These developments trace back to intelligence from ED’s January 8 foray into I-PAC leader Prateek Jain’s office and home, which ignited a political firestorm. Banerjee’s swift intervention at the sites, claiming protection of election documents, only amplified the drama.

As searches continue without confirmed recoveries, experts highlight how such rackets drain billions from the exchequer and devastate local ecosystems. The ED’s aggressive posture signals a broader campaign against organized crime in Bengal’s mining belts, promising accountability for those exploiting public wealth.