ED Launches ‘Operation 40’ on Coal Theft: Contractor Deletes Data, Unleashes Pet Dogs During Raid

Dhanbad: In a significant crackdown on coal theft and illegal mining, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out a massive operation in Dhanbad for the first time targeting this illegal trade. Multiple prominent businessmen have come under scrutiny as part of the investigation.

Raid Disrupted by Unusual Tactics
The ED began their search at 6 AM at the residences and offices of several coal traders, including contractor LB Singh. At Singh’s property, ‘Dev Villa,’ officials faced an unexpected challenge: Singh unleashed his pet dogs to obstruct the team. Meanwhile, he deleted crucial data and evidence from his digital devices. The raid could proceed only after 8 AM, when Singh finally opened the premises, allowing the ED to begin searches and count cash seized during the operation.

Breaking the Stronghold of Coal Smuggling
This marks the third ED visit to Dhanbad but the first focused explicitly on illegal coal trading. Earlier raids were linked to sand mining scandals in Bihar and the NRHM corruption probe. The current operation spans 40 locations across Jharkhand (18 sites) and West Bengal (24 sites). It aims to dismantle the robust networks involved in coal theft and smuggling, which have historically created immense wealth for those involved in the trade.

Potential Exposure of Political Links
Investigators suspect that this probe could also expose “white-collar” players connected to politics, who have profited from the illegal coal trade. The coal mafia in the region has long influenced local politics, with coal officials, businessmen, and politicians forming strong alliances to manipulate governments and generate massive cash flows. These funds have reportedly been used for political party financing, further highlighting the stakes of the ongoing investigation.

The operation signals the ED’s commitment to cracking down on entrenched illegal coal networks, with officials warning that those who benefited from decades of unlawful practices may soon face legal consequences.