New Delhi: In a major victory for India's anti-narcotics efforts, central agencies and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) secured the return of international drug trafficker and D Company henchman Mohammed Salim Dola on Tuesday morning. This marks the end of a two-year-long manhunt that spanned multiple countries.
Operation Details
In an operation closely monitored by the Union Home Ministry, Dola was flown from Istanbul on a special aircraft that landed at the technical area of Delhi airport. The successful operation underscores the government's commitment to dismantling drug cartels operating across borders.
Home Minister's Praise
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the multi-agency operation, stating, "Zero tolerance against Narco syndicates. 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. Now no matter where they hide, no place is safe for drug kingpins."
Dola's Role and Capture
Mohammed Salim Dola, a key supplier of Mephedrone (also known as Meow Meow drug), was detained in Turkey last week after being geolocated there through close coordination with international and Indian intelligence agencies as part of 'Operation Global-Hunt'. His arrest is seen as a significant blow to Dawood Ibrahim's narcotics network in Turkey and Bulgaria, a critical segment of the Balkan route that links Asian and South American producers to European markets, sources said.
Background of the Investigation
India had been tightening its noose around Dola for two years after his name surfaced during an investigation of Meow Meow labs in several states. In March 2024, Interpol issued a Red Notice against him at India's request. The first breakthrough came last year when his son, Tahil Dola, and other associates were arrested by Mumbai police after deportation or extradition from the UAE in coordination with the CBI. Agencies subsequently intensified efforts to pinpoint Dola's location.
His UAE passport made Dola more accessible to Indian agencies, sources said. Earlier this month, agencies zeroed in on a flat in Istanbul's Beylikduzu district where Dola was living and operating under an assumed identity. A raid by authorities led to his apprehension.
Legal Status
Wanted in multiple narcotics trafficking cases in India, Dola (59), a resident of Dongri in Mumbai, had been on the fugitive list since 2018. Officials stated that his role emerged as that of a bulk supplier to downstream distribution networks in India.
About the Author: Raj Shekhar Jha is a journalist with over a decade of experience reporting on national security, terrorism, crime, and prisons.
