Ranchi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out coordinated raids across Jharkhand and West Bengal, uncovering evidence linked to a suspected illegal Bangladeshi infiltration network. The raids, part of a money laundering investigation, led to the seizure of counterfeit Aadhaar cards, forged passports, illegal firearms, documents related to immovable properties, cash, jewellery, and machinery used for document forgery.
According to the sources, around seventeen locations were searched, including six in Ranchi, such as Hotel Skyline and Ashvi Diagnosis in the Bariatu area. The ED officials also examined the hotel’s register during the operation.
Sources revealed the raids were focused on individuals and entities allegedly facilitating financial transactions connected to the infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals. The operation is part of a wider investigation into money laundering and cross-border infiltration that began in September under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The investigation traces back to a June FIR filed in Ranchi, which implicated traffickers bringing Bangladeshi women into Jharkhand under the pretext of prostitution. These women were trafficked through Kolkata, where fake Indian identity documents were created for them. Authorities are now expanding the probe to target human trafficking and money laundering networks supporting illegal infiltration.
