Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai Zonal Office has conducted search operations at 21 locations across Mumbai, Surat, Ankleshwar and Rajkot on 02.06.2026 & 03.06.2026 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in connection with an investigation against the “Trans-national Organised Narcotics Trafficking Syndicate operated by Salim Ismail Dola and his associates.
The search operation has covered the organised narcotics network of Salim Dola including end-to-end nodes of the syndicate i.e. precursor chemical suppliers, chemical traders, manufactures/distributors of the synthetic narcotic drug Mephedrone (MD), Hawala Operators and persons holding benami properties worth crores of rupees acquired from proceeds generated through the organised drug syndicate. Accordingly, the search operation has targeted critical links of the illicit supply chain and money laundering ecosystem to significantly disrupt the syndicate’s operational capabilities and financial infrastructure.
The searches resulted in the seizure and freezing of cash, foreign currency, gold bars, and bank balances valued at approximately Rs. 1.33 Crore, along with foreign currency i.e. USD 2,200. Additionally, documents relating to immovable properties worth several crores of rupees located in India and Dubai were recovered, indicating substantial investments made from the proceeds of the organised drug syndicate.
The investigation in the matter was initiated on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by various law enforcement agencies in Mumbai against Salim Dola and others for offences relating to illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Investigation conducted so far has revealed the existence of a highly organised trans-national criminal network engaged in procurement of precursor chemicals, clandestine manufacture of Mephedrone (MD), interstate transportation and distribution of narcotic drugs, international trafficking of narcotic substances, collection and layering of Proceeds of Crime through hawala channels, and acquisition of movable and immovable assets in the names of associates and other persons.
Further investigation is under progress.