New Delhi: Salim Dola, an alleged aide of underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim and a suspected drug trafficker, has been brought to Mumbai for questioning following his detention abroad. The 59-year-old was flown into India earlier this week after being apprehended in Turkey based on intelligence inputs shared by Indian agencies.
Authorities believe Dola is a central figure in a high-value synthetic drug network operating largely out of the United Arab Emirates. Investigators estimate that his operations have generated more than Rs 100 crore over the past two years, highlighting the scale and reach of the alleged syndicate.
Dola had been on the radar of international law enforcement agencies and was subject to an Interpol Red Notice, which facilitated coordination for his detention. After being taken into custody by Turkish intelligence officials, he was transferred to India and subsequently moved to Mumbai, where further interrogation is underway.
Officials suspect that Dola played a major role in supplying narcotics to distribution networks across parts of western India. He has been linked to several significant drug seizures involving substances such as heroin, charas, mephedrone, mandrax, and methamphetamine in Maharashtra and Gujarat. His alleged position within the supply chain points to involvement at a high operational level, particularly in bulk trafficking.
Legal proceedings against Dola are expected to unfold under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, which carries stringent penalties for offences involving commercial quantities of narcotics. Convictions under the law can result in long prison terms along with strict conditions for bail.
Investigators are now focused on uncovering the full extent of the network and identifying other individuals connected to the operation, as efforts intensify to dismantle organized drug trafficking routes linked to international syndicates.
