Notorious drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola, who was recently detained in Istanbul, Turkey, was brought to India on Tuesday under Operation Global-Hunt. He landed at Delhi airport and was taken into custody by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called it a reflection of the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against narco syndicates.
In a post on X, the Home Minister said, “Zero tolerance against narco syndicates. The NCB today made a major breakthrough in bringing back notorious drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Türkiye. Under the Modi government’s mission to ruthlessly smash drug cartels, our anti-narcotics agencies have extended their claws across borders through a robust network of global agencies.”
He added, “Now no matter where they hide, no place is safe for drug kingpins.”
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said: “Salim Dola (59), from Mumbai, was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at India’s request in March 2024 and was wanted for prosecution in multiple narcotics trafficking cases in India. He had been absconding from Indian law enforcement agencies. Over the years, Dola established a major transnational drug trafficking syndicate spanning several countries in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. His two-decade-long criminal record includes direct involvement in cases linked to multiple high-value seizures of heroin, charas, mephedrone, mandrax and methamphetamine in Maharashtra and Gujarat.”
“Dola’s role consistently emerged as that of a bulk supplier to downstream distribution networks in India. Besides, he is also wanted by Gujarat ATS and Mumbai Police. Earlier, his son Tahil Salim Dola and other associates were arrested by Mumbai Police after deportation/extradition from the UAE in 2025. This effort exemplifies close cooperation and coordinated action between the authorities in Türkiye, INTERPOL and Indian agencies,” the MHA added.
Dola was arrested on April 25 after the Narcotics Crimes Division of the Istanbul Police Department launched a targeted operation to intercept him. Wanted in a drug trafficking case, he was traced to a residence in Istanbul’s Beylikduzu district, where he was detained.
Salim Dola will now be handed over to the Mumbai Police, after which he will be interrogated by various agencies.
(with ANI inputs)
