The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at multiple locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat on Tuesday as part of a money laundering investigation connected to drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola, officials confirmed. The 59-year-old, who was repatriated from Türkiye by Indian authorities in April, was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) shortly after landing at Delhi airport.
Details of the Raids
According to officials, approximately 20 premises in Mumbai, Surat, and Ankleshwar in Gujarat’s Bharuch district were searched after the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Dola, also known as Salim Ismail Dola, is alleged to be a close associate of globally wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim and has been accused by anti-narcotics agencies of operating a transnational drug trafficking syndicate.
Targets of the Searches
ED officials stated that the searches are being conducted at properties linked to suppliers of precursor chemicals, intermediaries involved in chemical trading, traffickers engaged in the manufacture and distribution of the synthetic narcotic drug Mephedrone (MD), hawala operators, and individuals allegedly holding benami properties acquired using proceeds generated through the organized drug syndicate.
Basis of the Money Laundering Case
Officials noted that the money laundering case is based on multiple FIRs registered across Mumbai against Dola and others for offenses related to illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The investigation aims to unravel the financial network supporting the drug trade.
This operation underscores the ED's continued efforts to combat money laundering linked to organized crime and drug trafficking in India.
