Patna: In a late-night crackdown on illegal sand mining in Patna district, a joint team of police and mining department officials seized four tractors allegedly transporting illegally mined sand and arrested one suspected smuggler during raids in the Ranitalab police station area.
The operation, carried out between midnight and 3am on Friday, targeted several locations including Buddhu Chapra, Sharda Chapra and Dhana, where authorities suspected large-scale illegal extraction and transportation of sand was taking place.
The raids were led by trainee DSP and Ranitalab station house officer Vinay Kumar Ranjan along with mining inspector Uttam Mani, following directions from senior officials to intensify action against the sand mafia operating in the region.
Officials said the four seized tractors were taken to Ranitalab police station, while the mining department registered an FIR against the vehicle owners and operators under relevant sections of the law.
Police also arrested a man identified as Vinay Kumar from the spot. According to officials, the accused has a prior criminal record and was released from jail only a few days ago.
Investigators are now questioning him to gather information about other individuals allegedly linked to the illegal sand mining network.
DSP-2 Pankaj Kumar warned that illegal mining and sand smuggling would not be tolerated and said the administration would continue its crackdown across the district.
“The drive against illegal sand mining will continue and strict legal action will be taken against those involved,” he said.
The operation has triggered concern among local sand traders and those allegedly linked to the illegal trade, while residents in the area welcomed the administration’s action against the mafia.
