**Executive Summary**
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) successfully secured the return of notorious drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Turkiye on April 28, 2026, under "Operation Global-Hunt." This breakthrough is part of the government’s "Zero Tolerance" policy against narco-syndicates and involved coordinated efforts between Indian and international agencies. Dola, who was taken into custody at IGI Airport, New Delhi, faces prosecution for multiple high-value narcotics cases across several Indian states.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Operational Details**
* **Operation Global-Hunt:** A targeted operation led by the NCB in close coordination with international intelligence agencies and Turkish authorities to apprehend and return the fugitive.
* **Arrest Particulars:** Mohammad Salim Dola was taken into custody by the NCB early on the morning of April 28, 2026, upon his arrival at IGI Airport, New Delhi.
* **International Cooperation:** The success of the operation reflects a robust network involving INTERPOL, the authorities in Turkiye, and Indian intelligence.
**Profile of the Accused**
* **Identity:** Mohammad Salim Dola, a 59-year-old from Mumbai, had been absconding from Indian law enforcement for years.
* **Legal Status:** He was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at India’s request in March 2024.
* **Criminal History:** Dola has two decades of criminal antecedents, having established a transnational syndicate spanning the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
**Criminal Activities and Charges**
* **Drug Trafficking:** He served as a bulk supplier for downstream distribution networks, linked to high-value seizures of Heroin, Charas, Mephedrone, Mandrax, and Methamphetamine.
* **Jurisdictional Reach:** His activities primarily targeted Maharashtra and Gujarat; he is specifically wanted by the Mumbai Police and ATS Gujarat.
* **Associated Arrests:** His son, Tahil Salim Dola, and other associates were previously arrested in 2025 following deportation/extradition from the UAE.
**Impact Analysis**
**Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Indian Intelligence Agencies**
**Impact**
The successful execution of "Operation Global-Hunt" validates the effectiveness of the government’s international reach and inter-agency coordination.
**Action Required**
Continue to utilize the global network of agencies to pursue and bring remaining narcotics fugitives and kingpins to justice.
**Mohammad Salim Dola and Organized Crime Syndicates**
**Impact**
The return and arrest of a primary bulk supplier significantly disrupt a major transnational drug trafficking network operating across three continents.
**Action Required**
The accused must undergo prosecution for multiple pending narcotics trafficking cases in India.
**State Law Enforcement (Mumbai Police and ATS Gujarat)**
**Impact**
The capture of a high-priority fugitive allows for the progression of long-standing cases and provides potential leads regarding downstream distribution networks.
**Action Required**
Coordinate with the NCB to process the accused for specific regional cases and integrate evidence from past seizures.
Key Entities Referenced
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): The primary Indian law enforcement and intelligence agency responsible for combating drug trafficking and the lead organization in this international operation.
Operation Global-Hunt: The specific initiative under which the return and arrest of notorious drug kingpin Mohammad Salim Dola was secured.
Mohammad Salim Dola: A high-profile drug trafficker and leader of a transnational narcotics syndicate spanning the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
INTERPOL Red Notice: The international request for law enforcement cooperation used to track and secure the prosecution of the fugitive trafficker.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The central ministry overseeing national security and anti-narcotics policy execution through agencies like the NCB.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) today made a
major breakthrough in securing the return of
notorious drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola
from Turkiye
Zero tolerance against Narco syndicate
Arrest of fugitive Salim Dola reflect Modi govt’s firm resolve to
bring all narcotics fugitives and members of organised crime
syndicates to justice
Now no matter where they hide, no place is safe for drug
kingpins
Our anti-narcotics agencies have extended their claws across
borders through a robust network
Posted On: 28 APR 2026 2:03PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that in line with Modi
Government’s policy of Zero tolerance against Narco syndicate, the NCB today made a major
breakthrough in securing the return of notorious drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Turkiye.
In a post on X platform, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that
“Zero tolerance against Narco syndicate. The NCB today made a major breakthrough in securing the
return of notorious drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Turkiye. Under Modi govt's mission to
ruthlessly smash drug cartels, our anti-narcotics agencies have extended their claws across borders
through a robust network of global agencies. Now no matter where they hide, no place is safe for drug
kingpins.”
The successful return of Salim Dola, under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and
guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, reflects the firm resolve of Government to bring all
narcotics fugitives and members of organised crime syndicates to justice, by pursuing them relentlessly
across the globe.
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in close coordination with international and Indian intelligence
agencies, has secured the return of wanted drug trafficker Mohammed Salim Dola from Türkiye, under
‘Operation Global-Hunt’. He was taken into custody on his arrival at IGI Airport, New Delhi, early this
morning by NCB.Salim Dola (59 yrs from Mumbai) a subject of INTERPOL Red Notice issued at India’s request in March,
2024 was wanted for prosecution in multiple narcotics trafficking cases in India and had been absconding
from Indian law enforcement agencies. Over the years Dola had established a major transnational drug
trafficking syndicate spanning a number of countries in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. His two-
decade long criminal antecedents include direct involvement in cases involving multiple high-value
seizures of Heroin, Charas, Mephedrone, Mandrax and Methamphetamine in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Dola’s role consistently emerged as that of a bulk supplier to downstream distribution networks in India.
Besides, he is also wanted by ATS Gujarat and the Mumbai Police. Earlier, his son Tahil Salim Dola and
other associates were arrested by Mumbai police after deportation/extradition from the UAE in 2025. This
effort exemplifies close cooperation and coordinated action between the authorities in Türkiye,
INTERPOL and Indian agencies.
Zero tolerance against Narco syndicate.
The @narcoticsbureau today made a major breakthrough in securing the return of
notorious drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Turkiye. Under Modi govt's
mission to ruthlessly smash drug cartels, our anti-narcotics agencies have…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 28, 2026
*****
RK / RR / PR / PS
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