Major Drug Syndicate Figure Salim Dola Deported to India

Significant Development in Drug Trafficking Crackdown

New Delhi, April 28: In a pivotal move for Indian law enforcement, Salim Dola, an associate of the notorious fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and a prominent player in an international drug trafficking ring, was deported on Tuesday. This operation represents a significant advancement in the nation's efforts to combat transnational narcotics operations.

Sources indicate that Dola arrived at Delhi airport early in the morning on a special flight, following a meticulously coordinated effort involving Indian intelligence and their global counterparts. Officials confirmed that this deportation was the result of extensive collaboration among various agencies across different jurisdictions.

Currently, Dola is undergoing interrogation by intelligence officials in Delhi, after which he will be transferred to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai for further questioning. He is expected to be investigated in relation to multiple cases of large-scale drug trafficking and international smuggling.

Recently apprehended in Istanbul, Turkey, Dola's arrest was part of a joint operation with local law enforcement and intelligence agencies. His detention stemmed from an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued at the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Indian authorities, particularly the Mumbai Police, had been pursuing his custody for years due to his involvement in various narcotics-related offenses.

The deportation of Salim Dola follows a series of significant actions by Indian agencies against this criminal network. In June 2025, his son, Taher Dola, was extradited from the UAE. Subsequently, another key associate, Salim Mohammed Sohail Shaikh, was deported from Dubai and arrested by the Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell. These developments highlight a concerted effort to dismantle a network engaged in extensive criminal activities, including drug production and trafficking.

Officials estimate that Dola managed a drug empire valued at around Rs 5,000 crore, positioning him as a major figure within the syndicate. His capture is viewed as a substantial setback not only for the Dawood Ibrahim network but also for its alleged financial operations. Investigators suspect that the profits from drug trafficking were utilized to finance activities harmful to India's security.

Security analysts stress that dismantling narcotics networks is vital for counter-terrorism initiatives, as these syndicates often provide financial support for extremist activities. The arrests of Dola, his son, and close associates suggest a gradual weakening of the syndicate's operations.

Investigations have uncovered that the network operated a global synthetic drug trafficking system, establishing laboratories and production units across various regions in India to manufacture and distribute illegal drugs.

Born in Mumbai in 1966, Dola became involved with the underworld at a young age, closely collaborating with Dawood’s right-hand man, Chhota Shakeel. His criminal activities began with the supply of ghutkha, later expanding to the smuggling of marijuana. In 2012, he was arrested by the NCB after being found in possession of 80 grams of weed, spending five years in prison before being acquitted.

Following his release, he established a drug manufacturing unit for a synthetic drug known as Button, derived from fentanyl. In 2018, he was arrested again in Santa Cruz, Mumbai, after authorities seized 100 kg of fentanyl from him. However, he was released on bail after four months when forensic tests returned negative results for the substance. He subsequently fled to the UAE while on bail.