Gujarat ATS takes custody of international drug trafficker Salim Dola
The accused is linked to a 2022 seizure of mephedrone worth Rs 438.64 crore in Vadodara.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) took international drug trafficker Salim Ismail Dola into custody on October 31, according to The Hawk and Bhaskar English. Dola was wanted in connection with the December 2022 seizure of 87.728 kg of mephedrone (MD) from an illegal manufacturing unit in Sindhrot village, Vadodara district. The drugs were valued at approximately Rs 438.64 crore in the international market.
Dola was taken into custody following legal procedures after an Interpol Red Corner Notice was issued against him. He was reportedly deported from Turkey. The ATS is now questioning him to establish his role in the Sindhrot factory case and to investigate an alleged interstate and international narcotics network.
Investigations revealed that an arrested accused, Soumil Pathak, had come into contact with Dola while in jail. The mephedrone manufactured at the Sindhrot unit was allegedly supplied to Aiman Musa Sheikh, also known as Ayan Khan, a Mumbai-based associate of Dola. Gujarat ATS Shankar Chaudhary said Dola supplied chemicals for manufacturing MD and was involved in the purchase and sale of finished drugs.
Dola allegedly operated his network from abroad, using an Indian passport and mobile numbers registered in the UAE and Kenya. Intelligence indicated he resided in Dubai. His network reportedly used dummy companies and concealed narcotics in containers carrying legally exported goods to transport them overseas.
Dola has been linked to several criminal cases, including a 1998 arrest with 40 kg of Mandrax and a 2013 arrest with 79 kg of charas. He was also allegedly associated with Iqbal Mirchi during the 1990s. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating financial transactions and alleged money laundering linked to his suspected network.