The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at 20 locations across Maharashtra and Gujarat as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged transnational narcotics trafficking network operated by recently extradited Salim Ismail Dola and his associates.
The action marks a significant expansion of the agency’s probe into what investigators believe is a well-entrenched network spanning drug manufacturing, trafficking, hawala transactions and investments in properties acquired through illicit funds. The searches are being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
According to officials, the operation began early Tuesday morning and covers multiple premises in Mumbai as well as Surat, Ankleshwar and Rajkot in Gujarat. The searches target a wide range of individuals and entities suspected of being linked to the syndicate’s operations.
Investigators are examining premises associated with suppliers of precursor chemicals, intermediaries involved in chemical trading, persons suspected of manufacturing and distributing the synthetic narcotic drug Mephedrone, commonly known as MD, hawala operators, and individuals allegedly holding benami assets linked to proceeds generated from drug trafficking activities.
The probe stems from multiple FIRs registered in Mumbai against Dola and others under provisions relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Based on these cases, the ED launched a parallel money laundering investigation to trace the financial trail of the alleged criminal enterprise.
Officials said the investigation has so far revealed the existence of an organised network engaged in procuring precursor chemicals, manufacturing Mephedrone through clandestine facilities, transporting narcotics across states and trafficking drugs through international channels.
The agency is also examining allegations that proceeds generated from the narcotics trade were routed through hawala networks before being layered and invested in movable and immovable assets. Investigators suspect some of these assets were acquired in the names of associates and other individuals to conceal ownership.
The Central government extradited Salim Dola from Turkey last month. Dola is alleged to be a close aide of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and is suspected of operating a transnational drug trafficking network.
Officials said the ongoing searches are focused on mapping the syndicate’s complete operational and financial ecosystem. This includes scrutiny of chemical manufacturing units, financial facilitators, accountants, chartered accountants, hawala operators and others allegedly involved in laundering proceeds from the narcotics trade.
The ED said investigations are continuing, and further action will be taken based on evidence gathered during the searches.