Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 22: Enforcement Directorate (ED) teams have uncovered close to Rs 10 crore during coordinated search operations across West Bengal and Jharkhand in connection with the ongoing coal smuggling investigation.

Sources indicate that the seizures include over Rs 3 crore in cash, while gold—both jewellery and bullion—accounts for more than Rs 6 crore. The agency carried out extensive raids at 24 locations in West Bengal along with several sites in Jharkhand, acting on intelligence inputs pointing to corruption and financial irregularities linked to coal exports.

In West Bengal, key searches were conducted at the office and residence of a prominent contractor associated with Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) in Asansol, a major hub in the coal belt. Additionally, the homes of three coal-linked businessmen were raided—two in Salt Lake on Kolkata’s northern fringes and another near Salap Crossing in Howrah.

Investigators reportedly recovered significant amounts of undisclosed cash and gold from three locations within West Bengal, though the ED has not yet revealed the exact sites of these discoveries. Raids were also carried out in Purulia district as part of the larger operation.

Both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continue to investigate the multi-crore coal smuggling racket in parallel. The CBI recently informed the court that its probe is nearing completion. The ED’s latest actions come shortly after this update, signaling intensified efforts to wrap up the high-profile case.