BHUBANESWAR: Day after its raids on alleged sand and illicit liquor mafia operating in Ganjam district, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday said it has seized Rs 2.5 crore cash from them. In a statement, the central agency termed Krupasindhu Muduli as the mastermind of the illegal sand mining syndicate and said many incriminating documents were seized from his possession during the raids. Elaborating on the modus operandi, the ED said the sand mafia issued forged Y forms, transit passes for minor minerals and sold the illegally excavated sand and blackstone in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. ED officers found out that police had earlier registered cases against many persons involved in illegal sand mining. ED sources said the raids also exposed the alleged nexus between the sand mafia and illicit liquor manufacturers.

Source: Indian Express January 18, 2026 10:30 UTC