ED seizes ₹14 crore in cash, gold in raids on Jharkhand–Bengal coal mafia network

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized cash and gold worth over ₹14 crore during extensive searches targeting an alleged coal mafia network operating across Jharkhand and West Bengal, the agency said on Saturday.

According to the ED, the raids began on Friday and covered 44 locations linked to what it described as “large-scale” illegal coal mining, theft, transportation, storage, and sale. The operation involved more than 100 ED officials.

During the searches, officials recovered cash, jewellery, gold, multiple property deeds, land sale agreements, digital devices, and account ledgers allegedly maintained by entities controlled by the syndicate.

The agency said the documents seized corroborate allegations made in FIRs and point to an organised racket operating with the support of local authorities.

The coal syndicate is believed to be highly active in the border regions of Jharkhand–West Bengal, generating “huge” proceeds of crime, according to the ED.