The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday conducted raids at 17 locations across Jharkhand and West Bengal as part of a probe into illegal infiltration from Bangladesh.
The raids led to the recovery of fake Aadhaar cards, forged passports, illegal arms, and other incriminating materials, which the ED believes are linked to cross-border infiltration and money laundering.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the ED confirmed, “ED Ranchi is conducting searches at 17 locations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.” The agency reported finding a range of suspicious items, including falsified Aadhaar cards, forged passports, illegal arms, property documents, cash, jewelry, blank Aadhaar forms, printing papers, and equipment used for forgery.
According to sources, the ED is scrutinizing multiple individuals and organizations suspected of involvement in illegal financial operations connected to cross-border movement. The raids, which began early Tuesday, are expected to yield further evidence of money laundering networks that support such infiltration.
This current investigation builds on a case originally registered on June 6, 2023, at the Bariatu Police Station in Ranchi, Jharkhand, regarding alleged Bangladeshi infiltration. The ED has now assumed responsibility for the case, broadening the scope to investigate the financial and logistical networks potentially supporting illegal cross-border activities.
By delving into these connections, the ED aims to expose the networks that facilitate and fund infiltration, which could have wider implications for regional security.
The ED’s ongoing search operations are anticipated to uncover additional financial links and documentation that may shed light on the organized nature of the networks aiding illegal infiltration.
The agency’s findings could lead to further crackdowns on money laundering rings with ties to cross-border security issues, as the investigation is expected to continue over the coming days.
