ED Raids Uncover ₹2 Crore Cash Hoard in Odisha Illegal Sand Mining Probe

• The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in Odisha, uncovering over ₹2 crore in cash during an investigation into illegal sand mining and minor mineral trafficking.
• Officers were stunned to find cupboards filled with bundles of ₹500 and ₹2000 notes at the residences of suspects.
• The action targeted Biju Janata Dal leader Hrushikesh Padhi and his associates, with raids conducted at 20 locations including Berhampur, Lanjipalli, and Jayprakash Nagar in Ganjam district.
• The illegal sand contracts were allegedly taken in the names of small business owners to launder black money, defrauding the government exchequer.
• Along with cash, expensive cars and property documents were seized, and the investigation under the Money Laundering Act is ongoing, with more arrests expected.

Why It Matters: ED raids in Odisha exposed a massive ₹2 crore cash hoard linked to illegal sand mining and money laundering.