Indian authorities have secured a significant victory in their fight against international drug trafficking with the deportation of Mohammad Salim Dola, a key associate of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, from Turkey.
Dola, 59, a notorious figure in Dawood’s drug empire, was detained in Istanbul and flown back to India on a special aircraft early Tuesday. He landed at Delhi’s technical airport under tight security and was immediately taken into custody for interrogation by intelligence agencies, before being handed over to Mumbai Police.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the operation as a “major breakthrough”, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “Zero tolerance against the Narco syndicate. The @narcoticsbureau today made a major breakthrough in securing the return of notorious drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Turkiye.” He added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, Indian agencies had “extended their claws across borders” through global partnerships, declaring: “Now, no matter where they hide, no place is safe for drug kingpins”.
Long arm of the law catches up
Dola’s deportation follows a series of blows to his network. In June 2025, his son Taher was extradited from the UAE. Months later, associate Salim Mohammed Sohail Shaikh was deported from Dubai and arrested in Mumbai. Raids in India seized 126kg of mephedrone and Rs 25.2 million in cash.
Indian officials link Dola to Dawood’s D-Company, accused of large-scale drug production, trafficking, and organised crime. Mumbai associates reportedly confessed to taking orders from him during interrogations, per Turkish media CNN Turk.
The operation involved coordinated efforts between India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), intelligence agencies, and Turkish police, highlighting growing international cooperation against narco-terror networks.
Background on Dola and Dawood’s shadow
Salim Dola, long based abroad, managed finances and logistics for Dawood’s drug operations from Turkey. Dawood Ibrahim, India’s most-wanted fugitive since the 1993 Mumbai bombings (257 dead), remains at large, reportedly in Pakistan. India has repeatedly sought his extradition.
A senior Mumbai police officer called the arrest “great news, a big blow to his trafficking network”. Dola faces multiple charges in India and is expected to yield crucial leads on the syndicate.
Government crackdown intensifies
Mr Shah’s praise underscores Modi’s “zero tolerance” policy, with intensified global operations dismantling cartels. Recent successes include seizures worth billions and arrests of kingpins worldwide.
Critics note challenges persist, with drug inflows via sea routes and porous borders. Yet, agencies claim enhanced surveillance and INTERPOL ties are paying off.
Dola’s questioning could unravel more of Dawood’s empire. As India intensifies its pursuit, the message is clear: no sanctuary for narco-terrorists.
