Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at 21 locations across Mumbai and Gujarat’s Surat, Ankleshwar and Rajkot over two days in connection with an investigation into a “transnational organised narcotics trafficking syndicate” allegedly operated by gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s close aide Salim Ismail Dola and his associates.
According to the ED, the searches carried out on June 2 and 3 targeted the network run by Dola, including various links in the syndicate such as precursor chemical suppliers, chemical traders, manufacturers and distributors of the synthetic narcotic drug Mephedrone (MD), hawala operators, and individuals allegedly holding benami properties acquired using proceeds generated through the drug syndicate.
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The agency said the operation, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), targeted “critical links” in the illicit supply chain and money laundering ecosystem in an effort to dismantle the syndicate’s operational network and financial infrastructure by the “Mephedrone King”.
The ED said the searches led to the seizure and freezing of cash, foreign currency, gold bars and bank balances collectively valued at around Rs 1.33 crore, including foreign currency amounting to USD 2,200.
The agency further said documents related to immovable properties worth several crores of rupees in India and Dubai were recovered during the searches, indicating substantial investments allegedly made using proceeds from the organised drug syndicate.
According to the ED, the investigation was initiated on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by various law enforcement agencies in Mumbai against Salim Dola and others for offences related to the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
“Investigation conducted so far has revealed the existence of a highly organised transnational criminal network engaged in procurement of precursor chemicals, clandestine manufacture of Mephedrone (MD), interstate transportation and distribution of narcotic drugs, international trafficking of narcotic substances, collection and layering of Proceeds of Crime through hawala channels, and acquisition of movable and immovable assets in the names of associates and other persons,” the ED said.
Dola alias Salim Ismail Dola is a close associate of global wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim and has been charged by anti-narcotics agencies with running a transnational drug trafficking syndicate. The 59-year-old was apprehended in Turkey sometime back on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice issued at India’s request in March 2024.
He was brought back to India from Turkey in April and was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) soon after landing at the Delhi airport.
The NCB had earlier alleged that Dola created a drug trafficking network over the last 20 years across the Middle East, Africa and Europe and was wanted by multiple Indian agencies, including the NCB, Maharashtra Police, Gujarat ATS and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Dola’s two-decade-long criminal antecedents included direct involvement in multiple high-value seizures of heroin, charas, mephedrone, mandrax and methamphetamine in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Officials associated with the probe had earlier identified Dola as the “Mephedrone King”, citing his alleged expertise in trafficking the synthetic drug. Investigators had also claimed that Dola used aliases such as “Hamza” and “Abdul” while staying in Turkey and was planning to acquire immovable properties there to obtain citizenship.
Dola’s son, Tahil Salim Dola, and several associates were arrested by Mumbai Police in 2025 after being deported or extradited from the UAE.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
