Gujarat ATS arrests international drug trafficker Salim Dola in mephedrone case
The arrest follows the 2022 seizure of mephedrone worth Rs 438.64 crore from a factory in Vadodara district.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested international drug trafficker Salim Ismail Dola on October 31, according to Hindustan Times. Dola, who was deported from Turkiye earlier this year, is wanted in connection with the 2022 seizure of 87.728 kg of mephedrone from a factory near Sindhrot village in Vadodara district.
The mephedrone seized during the December 1, 2022, raid was valued at Rs 438.64 crore in the international market. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) SL Chaudhary said Dola allegedly supplied the chemicals used for manufacturing the drug and later bought and sold the finished product.
The ATS stated that Dola allegedly operated a transnational narcotics network. The syndicate reportedly used dummy companies in destination countries and concealed narcotics in containers carrying legally exported goods to ship them abroad.
Dola was brought back from Turkiye in April this year by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) following an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued in March 2024. The ATS said Dola had previously moved from Mumbai to Dubai and Kenya before being traced to Turkiye.
The ACP said the ATS is now questioning Dola to establish the source of chemicals, financial transactions, and distribution channels. Investigators also intend to probe the assets allegedly acquired through illegal activities and who provided him logistical support while he was abroad.
Dola has been linked to several previous cases, including an arrest in 1998 with 40 kg of mandrax and another in 2013 with 79 kg of charas. He was also linked to a fentanyl case in 2018.