In a major crackdown against illicit sand mining in Odisha’s Keonjhar district, police conducted coordinated raids across 12 places, detaining 10 people linked to the unauthorised extraction and transportation of minor minerals.
The district police have launched “Operation Baitarani” to dismantle the organised sand mafia syndicate operating in the region, conducting simultaneous searches at 12 locations in Anandpur, Ghasipura, Nandipada, and Ghatgaon police stations, according to Keonjhar Superintendent of Police (SP) Kusalkar Nitin Dagudu.
During the extensive operation, police uncovered and seized over Rs 27 lakh in cash, believed to be illicit profits generated from the black-market sand trade, alongside forged transit passes, fraudulent bank accounts, and detailed ledgers of illicit financial transactions, the SP said.
Keonjhar Police launched major raids against illegal sand mining across multiple areas of the district ₹25 lakh cash seized,30+ vehicles detained,12 persons questioned
The crackdown targeted the sand mafia network; investigation is ongoing.@DGPOdisha @spkeonjhar pic.twitter.com/H0OcY2eZXL— DIG Western Range, ROURKELA (@digwrrkl) May 18, 2026
Similarly, police teams seized 30 vehicles suspected of being actively deployed in the illegal mining supply chain, the SP added.
Currently, more than 10 individuals involved in the illegal sand mafia activities have been held for questioning and subsequent legal action.
Further investigation, including detailed financial analysis, document verification, and interrogation, is currently underway to trace the full extent of the network, the SP said.
He emphasized that the Keonjhar police has been taking continuous action to eradicate illegal sand mining across all corners of the district.
In 2025, a total of 339 cases were registered, and 508 people were arrested. Similarly, in May 2026 alone, 56 cases were lodged, 59 vehicles seized, and legal actions have been taken against 99 people till Monday, he stated.
