In a scene straight out of a crime thriller, an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team faced unexpected resistance during a raid on the Cruise Casino Pride in Goa. The raid, which took place on December 12, quickly escalated into chaos as the casino’s director and senior staff allegedly turned the tables on the investigators.

According to police reports, the casino’s personnel not only threatened to harm the ED officials but also confined them in a room, creating a tense standoff. The assistant director leading the raid, Poluri Chenna Kesava Rao, and his team were reportedly assaulted during the incident.

The Goa Police confirmed that the ED team was in the process of gathering crucial evidence in a money laundering investigation when the accused allegedly destroyed their findings. A spokesperson revealed, “The casino director and staff have been accused of obstructing the investigation and threatening to harm the ED team.”

This isn’t the first time ED officials have faced such hostility. In Delhi last month, another team was attacked while investigating a cyber fraud case. The confrontation took place at a farmhouse owned by a chartered accountant, Ashok Sharma, who, along with his family members, reportedly targeted the officers. One official sustained injuries during the raid.

Similarly, in January, three ED officers were injured in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district while investigating a case in Sandeshkhali. These incidents highlight the increasing challenges faced by the agency as it tackles high-profile cases involving powerful individuals.

With this latest altercation in Goa, authorities are stepping up efforts to hold the accused accountable. A case has been registered against several individuals, including the casino director and two senior staff members. The ED is determined to press forward with its investigations, despite the rising opposition.