The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested international drug trafficker Salim Ismail Dola in connection with the seizure of mephedrone worth Rs 438.64 crore from a factory in Vadodara in 2022. Dola, who was deported from Türkiye earlier this year, allegedly supplied chemicals used to manufacture the drug and later purchased and sold the finished product.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, ATS, SL Chaudhary said the ATS took Dola into custody on October 31. The agency is now questioning him about the source of the chemicals, financial transactions, distribution channels and other members of the network.

The ATS raided a drug manufacturing unit near Sindhrot village in Vadodara district on December 1, 2022. It seized 87.728 kg of mephedrone (MD), valued at Rs 438.64 crore in the international market. Police have arrested 10 accused in the case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

"During the investigation, the name of Salim Ismail Dola emerged as one of the persons involved in the case. He was wanted, and a search was launched for him after it came to light that he was operating a drug network from abroad," Chaudhary said.

"He provided the chemicals used in the manufacturing process and, after the drug was produced, he also bought and sold the finished product. This was his main role in the Sindhrot case," the ACP said.

According to the ATS, the mephedrone manufactured at the Vadodara unit was transported to Mumbai and delivered to Dola's associates. His network allegedly concealed narcotics in containers carrying legally exported goods and shipped them overseas. The syndicate also established dummy companies in destination countries to facilitate drug trafficking.

Dola was brought back to India by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in April after Turkish authorities arrested him on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice issued at India's request in March 2024. He fled Mumbai for Dubai and later moved to Kenya before travelling across several countries. Indian agencies traced him to Türkiye following efforts to secure his arrest. He is described as a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim and faces several drug trafficking charges in India.

The ATS said Dola previously worked with international drug trafficker Iqbal Mirchi during the 1990s. He later built his own international network with associates.

His alleged involvement in narcotics cases dates back to 1998, when Mumbai International Airport authorities arrested him with around 40 kg of mandrax. In 2013, he was arrested with approximately 79 kg of charas. In 2018, he was linked to a fentanyl case involving drugs worth nearly Rs 1,000 crore.

Around a dozen narcotics-related cases have been registered against him. The NCB, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Mumbai Police have also investigated him. The Enforcement Directorate has initiated a probe into his alleged drug network, financial transactions, properties and money laundering.

"He was earlier arrested in a fentanyl case as well. We do not have details at present about whom he was supplying the drugs to. Further information will emerge during interrogation," the ATS official said.

The ATS will also investigate who sheltered Dola overseas, how he travelled between countries, who provided logistical support and whether he operated other drug networks in Gujarat or elsewhere in India. Police will also examine assets allegedly acquired through illegal activities, Chaudhary added.