In a major breakthrough for Indian intelligence agencies, wanted drug mafia operative Salim Dola has been deported to India from Turkey with the assistance of international agencies. He was brought to Delhi’s technical airport early Tuesday morning on a special aircraft.
Dola was recently arrested in Istanbul following inputs shared by Indian intelligence agencies with foreign security authorities. After a coordinated international operation, he was deported to India under tight security.
He is currently being questioned by intelligence officials at Delhi airport. After the initial interrogation, he is expected to be handed over to Mumbai Police, which was reportedly searching for him in several criminal cases.
Due to security concerns, the entire deportation process was kept highly confidential.
Indian agencies have achieved a significant success by securing the return of the notorious drug trafficker. Salim Dola is believed to have been part of a large international drug smuggling network operating across multiple countries.
According to sources, Dola’s name has been linked to a global synthetic drug racket with operations extending to India, Dubai and other countries.
Investigators believe the network has connections with fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company. Salim Dola was earlier active in Mumbai’s Dongri area before allegedly shifting base to Dubai.
From Dubai, he is suspected to have managed a major drug supply chain targeting India. Agencies also claim he possessed a Saudi Arabian passport, which allegedly helped him travel freely across countries.
Indian agencies had tightened the noose around Dola’s network over the past several months.
In October 2025, Mumbai Crime Branch extradited his close aide Mohammad Salim Sohel Sheikh from Dubai. Later in November 2025, four of his family members, including his son Tahir Dola, were also arrested in Dubai and brought to India.
Following these operations, agencies intensified efforts to trace Salim Dola.
The Narcotics Control Bureau had announced a reward of ₹1 lakh for information leading to his arrest. A Red Corner Notice had also been issued against him. Mumbai Police had initiated Interpol action, accelerating the global manhunt.
Security agencies believe Salim Dola’s arrest and deportation could lead to major revelations regarding international drug trafficking syndicates, particularly alleged links between drug cartels and D-Company.