Bhubaneswar, May 16 -- In a major late-night enforcement drive, the police and district administration carried out a coordinated midnight operation targeting illegal sand mining activities at various sand ghats in Odisha's Bolangir district, officials said on Saturday.

The raid was jointly led by Bolangir District Collector Gaurav Shivaji Isalwar and Superintendent of Police Abhilash G, who personally oversaw the crackdown at multiple locations suspected of illegal sand extraction and transportation.

During the operation, authorities seized nine Hyva dump trucks and two JCB excavators that were allegedly being used for illegal sand mining and transportation. Several drivers involved in the operations were also detained by the police.

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