On January 16, 2026, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized ₹2.5 crore in cash from individuals tied to illegal excavation and sale of minor minerals such as sand and black stone in Odisha’s Ganjam district. The ED’s Bhubaneswar Zonal Office carried out multiple searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The premises raided included those of brokers and mafias with serious criminal backgrounds, described by the ED as gangsters and local strongmen. The agency stated, “These include gangsters and local strongmen who, using muscle power, have been forcibly carrying out illegal mining of minor minerals by exploiting and terrorising people in their areas.” The illegal mining along riverbeds of Rushikulya, Bahuda, and Bada rivers was recently highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), pointing to major losses for the government. The ED indicated the exact cash amount seized will be disclosed later.