Under 'Operation Global-Hunt', the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has secured the return of wanted drug trafficker Mohammed Salim Dola from Turkey with the aid of international and Indian intelligence agencies.
On his arrival at IGI Airport in New Delhi, he was taken into custody early this morning.
As per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), "Salim Dola (59 yrs from Mumbai), a subject of INTERPOL Red Notice issued at India's request in March, 2024, was wanted for prosecution in multiple narcotics trafficking cases in India and had been absconding from Indian law enforcement agencies."
"Over the years, Dola had established a major transnational drug trafficking syndicate spanning several countries in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. His two-decade-long criminal antecedents include direct involvement in cases involving multiple high-value seizures of Heroin, Charas, Mephedrone, Mandrax and Methamphetamine in Maharashtra and Gujarat," the Ministry of Home Affairs added.
"Dola's role consistently emerged as that of a bulk supplier to downstream distribution networks in India. Besides, he is also wanted by ATS Gujarat and the 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 Turkiye, INTERPOL and Indian agencies," the Ministry of Home Affairs said.
Salim Dola was deported to Delhi Technical Airport from Istanbul. This followed an operation by the intelligence department in collaboration with international agencies. He is currently facing interrogation by intelligence agencies.
Salim Dola will be handed over to the Mumbai Police, after which he will be interrogated by various agencies.
CNN Turkiye reported that Dola, a notorious Indian drug lord wanted under an Interpol Red Notice, had been apprehended by Turkish authorities following a high-stakes raid in Istanbul.
Dola was arrested on April 25 after the Narcotics Crimes Division of the Istanbul Police Department launched a targeted operation to intercept the Indian national.
Dola, who is wanted for 'drug trafficking', was located hiding in a residence in the Beylikduzu district.
During raids in India, authorities seized about 126 kilograms of mephedrone alongside Rs 25,22,000. The Istanbul Police Department has since completed the necessary station procedures for the high-profile detainee.
The crackdown in Turkey aligns with ongoing investigations in India, where associates captured in Mumbai's Kurla region reportedly confessed to receiving instructions from Dola, according to CNN Turk.
With inputs from ANI