NEW DELHI: Mohammad Salim Dola, an international drug trafficker who had been absconding and was recently brought back to India from Türkiye, was reportedly living there on a Bulgarian passport under the assumed identity 'Hamza,' officials said on Friday.
Court Remand and Investigation
On Thursday, a Mumbai court remanded the 59-year-old Dola to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) custody until May 8. According to news agency PTI, officials familiar with the probe stated that preliminary findings suggest Dola was residing in Türkiye using a Bulgarian passport under the name 'Hamza.' Authorities are currently investigating whether his Bulgarian passport was valid or forged.
Links to Dawood Ibrahim
The probe agency informed the Mumbai court that Dola's name has surfaced as an international drug trafficker linked to Dawood Ibrahim. He is also identified as a key supplier in a commercial quantity seizure of mephedrone that occurred in south Mumbai in June 2023.
Arrest and Extradition
Officials said Dola was arrested in Türkiye following an Interpol Red Notice issued at India's request in March 2024. He had been absconding in several narcotics trafficking cases registered in India. He was extradited and brought to Delhi from Türkiye on Tuesday.
(With agency inputs)
