Salim Dola, an alleged international drug trafficker and aide of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, has been arrested in Istanbul by Turkish security authorities, according to reports and confirmations from Indian agencies. His arrest follows years of investigation into his alleged role in a large-scale transnational narcotics network.
Salim was the subject of a Red Corner Notice issued by Interpol based on a request from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with multiple cases registered by Mumbai Police. Authorities had been tracking his movements across countries as part of efforts to dismantle his network.
According to sources, Salim Dola is believed to have operated an extensive synthetic drug trafficking syndicate spanning multiple countries, with operations allegedly coordinated from Dubai. The network is said to have relied on clandestine laboratories and distribution channels across regions, making it one of the more complex drug operations under investigation. Officials estimate that the cartel may have been handling operations worth over ₹5,000 crore annually, though the full scale of its global reach remains unclear.
Law enforcement officials in India described the arrest as a significant breakthrough that could weaken the trafficking network. Investigators believe that dismantling the leadership structure may disrupt supply chains and expose additional operatives involved in the syndicate.
The arrest follows earlier actions against individuals linked to the network. Salim’s son, Taher Dola, was detained in the United Arab Emirates and later extradited to India in June 2025. Additionally, a close associate, Salim Mohammed Sohail Shaikh, was deported from Dubai and taken into custody by Mumbai’s Anti-Narcotics Cell.
Salim Dola and his associates face multiple charges in India, including drug trafficking, manufacturing, and related offences, along with money laundering cases being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. Authorities are expected to pursue further legal proceedings and coordinate with international agencies following his arrest.
