ED raids 20 sites, tightens net around Dola
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out raids at almost 20 locations across Mumbai, Surat, Rajkot and Ankleshwar in connection with money-laundering investigations focused on Mohammad Salim Dola, accused of running a drug syndicate for over 20 years, with operations in the West Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The raids, carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), target Dola’s international network. This includes suppliers and intermediaries dealing in precursor chemicals, as well as accountants who facilitate financial transactions. Authorities are also focusing on those who make and distribute Mephedrone (also known as MD, ‘meow meow’, drone, or M-CAT), and on hawala operators who handle illegal funds and buy assets under other people’s names. Investigators are looking into people holding properties bought with drug money in India and overseas. Ongoing searches could lead to property seizures and additional arrests.
Officials said the PMLA investigation began after several FIRs were filed in Mumbai against Dola and his group. Investigators have found what they describe as a highly organised international crime group involved in obtaining chemicals, producing Mephedrone in secret labs, and smuggling it across borders.
A close associate of Dawood Ibrahim, 59-year-old Dola, is a resident of Dongri in Mumbai. He was extradited from Türkiye in April 2026. His arrest was triggered by an Interpol Red Notice issued by India in March 2024. Dola had lived in Istanbul’s Beylikdüzü district under the alias ‘Hamza’ (and reportedly ‘Abdul’). Turkish police located him after he reportedly placed a courier delivery order. Three passports were recovered: two Indian and one Bulgarian. He allegedly used the Bulgarian document and considered buying property in Türkiye to obtain citizenship.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested him following his extradition and is being questioned about his network. His record includes involvement in major drug seizures, such as heroin, charas, and mephedrone. In one case, authorities found 126 kg of cash worth Rs 25.22 lakh. He is also linked to mandrax and methamphetamine cases in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
His arrest is the first major success of Operation Global Hunt, which targets D-Company’s drug operations and aims to stop crime funding that may support terrorism. In 2025, Dola’s son Tahil (also known as Taher) and his associates were deported from the UAE and arrested by Mumbai Police.
