Enforcement Directorate Raids Multiple Locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat in Money Laundering Investigation Against Notorious Drug Trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola
•The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at multiple locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat against Mohammad Salim Dola, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim.
•Dola is alleged to have operated a transnational drug trafficking syndicate involving the manufacture and distribution of synthetic narcotic drugs, including Mephedrone (MD).
•The ED raids targeted premises linked to suppliers of precursor chemicals, intermediaries engaged in chemical trading, traffickers involved in the manufacture and distribution of Mephedrone, hawala operators, and persons holding benami properties.
•The investigation against Dola stems from multiple FIRs registered across Mumbai against him and others for offences related to illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
•The government's efforts to bring Dola back to India and the subsequent ED raids are a testament to the country's commitment to combating organized crime and drug trafficking.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a series of raids at multiple locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat on June 2, 2026, as part of a money laundering investigation against Mohammad Salim Dola, a notorious drug trafficker and close associate of globally wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim. The 59-year-old Dola was brought back to India from Türkiye in April and was immediately arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) upon his arrival at the Delhi airport. The ED raids, which took place at around 20 locations in Mumbai, Surat, and Ankleshwar in Gujarat's Bharuch district, were carried out after the agency registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The investigation against Dola, also known as Salim Ismail Dola, stems from multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered across Mumbai against him and others for offences related to illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Dola is alleged to have operated a transnational drug trafficking syndicate, with anti-narcotics agencies accusing him of running a large-scale operation involving the manufacture and distribution of synthetic narcotic drugs, including Mephedrone (MD). The ED raids targeted premises linked to suppliers of precursor chemicals, intermediaries engaged in chemical trading, traffickers involved in the manufacture and distribution of Mephedrone, hawala operators, and persons holding benami properties acquired using proceeds generated through the organized drug syndicate.
The ED's investigation is focused on uncovering the money laundering trail and identifying the assets and properties acquired by Dola and his associates using the proceeds of their illicit activities. The agency is also examining the role of hawala operators and other intermediaries who may have facilitated the laundering of money on behalf of Dola and his syndicate. The raids are seen as a significant step in the government's efforts to crack down on organized crime and drug trafficking in the country. Dola's arrest and the subsequent ED raids are also expected to provide a major boost to the investigation into the activities of Dawood Ibrahim, who is wanted in India for his alleged role in several terror attacks and other crimes.
The Enforcement Directorate's action against Dola and his associates is part of a larger effort by law enforcement agencies to disrupt and dismantle the networks of organized crime and drug trafficking in India. The agency has been working closely with other law enforcement agencies, including the NCB and the police, to gather intelligence and evidence against Dola and his syndicate. The investigation is ongoing, and the ED is expected to file a chargesheet against Dola and his associates in the coming months. The case is being closely watched, and the outcome is expected to have significant implications for the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking in India.
The government's efforts to bring Dola back to India and the subsequent ED raids are a testament to the country's commitment to combating organized crime and drug trafficking. The investigation against Dola and his associates is a complex and challenging one, involving multiple agencies and jurisdictions. However, the progress made so far is a positive sign, and it is expected that the investigation will ultimately lead to the conviction of those involved and the dismantling of the drug trafficking syndicate.
In conclusion, the Enforcement Directorate's raids against Mohammad Salim Dola and his associates mark a significant milestone in the investigation into the activities of the notorious drug trafficker and his syndicate. The case is a complex and challenging one, but the progress made so far is a positive sign, and it is expected that the investigation will ultimately lead to the conviction of those involved and the dismantling of the drug trafficking syndicate.
