Shillong: Federal investigators have seized Rs 14.2 lakh in cash and uncovered an extensive money laundering network linked to illegal coke plants in Meghalaya during raids conducted across Guwahati and Kolkata on January 28.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation exposed a sophisticated system of benami ownership, where operators from Assam allegedly ran illegal coke plants in Meghalaya under the guise of local ownership.
According to an ED statement, many of these plants were officially registered under Meghalaya residents, but their actual operations were controlled by businesspersons from Assam.
The crackdown follows a December 2022 Meghalaya High Court order mandating the shutdown of all coke plants in the state, which led to the closure of 57 illegal units in the Shallang area of West Khasi Hills District.
The ED revealed that many of these plants operated without legal permits and violated environmental regulations.
Investigators also found that the units were processing illegally mined coal, raising serious concerns about environmental damage and regulatory violations.
During the searches, authorities seized multiple property documents, details of bank and mutual fund accounts, and records of high-value cross-border transactions.
The ED’s findings indicate that the illegal coke industry in West Khasi Hills District generated substantial illicit proceeds through the sale of illegally mined coal and processed coke.
The case originated from an FIR filed by the ADC-Cum-SDO (Civil) of Mawshynrut Civil Sub-Division, following joint enforcement actions with local police to implement the court’s shutdown order.
The ED continues its investigation into what appears to be a large-scale money laundering operation, with further legal action expected.
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