Bhubaneswar, 17 January (H.S.): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday seized approximately ₹2.5 crore in cash during extensive raids on an alleged sand and liquor mafia network operating in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

The cash, consisting largely of ₹500 currency notes, was discovered packed inside large almirahs at the residence of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Hrushikesh Padhi. ED officials carried out coordinated searches at nearly 25 locations linked to influential individuals suspected of involvement in illegal sand mining and financial irregularities.

According to officials, the operation has uncovered a well-established illegal network that has been exploiting major rivers in the district — including the Rushikulya, Bahuda, and Bada Nadi — leading to significant revenue losses for the state government.

Sources said the ED’s action was prompted by findings highlighted in a recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which pointed to large-scale irregularities in sand mining and transportation. During the searches, ED teams also gathered crucial evidence related to the illegal liquor trade, revealing that several sand mafia operators were running unauthorised country liquor manufacturing units in the region.

The investigation has further exposed the use of fake Y-forms, illegal sand transport, and alleged auction manipulation within the syndicate. BJD leader Krupasindhu Muduli has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind the network.

The ED is continuing its probe to trace the financial trail and determine the full extent of the illegal operations.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda