Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has achieved a major success in bringing back notorious drug smuggler Mohammed Salim Dola from Turkey as part of the government's 'zero tolerance policy' against the narcotics syndicate.
Mr. Shah said in a post on social media platform X on Tuesday that "under the Modi government's zero tolerance policy against the narcotics syndicate, the NCB has achieved a major success in bringing back notorious drug smuggler Mohammed Salim Dola from Turkey today. He said that under the government's mission to completely eliminate the drug cartel, our anti-narcotics agencies have also strengthened their grip across borders through a strong network of international agencies. He further said that wherever the drug lord hides, there is no safe place for them now. The return of Dola reflects the government's strong resolve to bring all fugitive drug criminals and members of organized crime syndicates to the court of law.
The NCB, in collaboration with international and Indian intelligence agencies, achieved success in bringing back wanted drug smuggler Mohammed Salim Dola from Turkey under 'Operation Global Hunt'. He was taken into custody by the NCB as soon as he arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi this morning.
A Red Notice was issued by Interpol in March 2024 against Salim Dola (59, a resident of Mumbai) at the request of India. He was wanted in several drug smuggling cases in India and was evading law enforcement agencies. Over the past few years, Dola had established a large international drug smuggling network spanning several countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
His two-decade-long criminal record reveals his direct involvement in cases of large seizures of heroin, charas, mephedrone, mandrax, and methamphetamine in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Salim Dola has also been active as a wholesale supplier for the lower-tier distribution network in India.
In addition, the Gujarat ATS and Mumbai Police were also looking for him. Earlier, his son Tahal Salim Dola and other associates were arrested by the Mumbai Police after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates in 2025. This action is a great example of better cooperation and coordinated strategy between Turkish authorities, Interpol, and Indian agencies.