Mumbai: Mohammad Salim Dola, a close associate of fugitive underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, was recently arrested in Turkey after evading authorities for years, with a single misstep ultimately leading to his capture, as reported by NDTV. The 59-year-old, originally from Mumbai’s Dongri area, had been wanted in multiple drug trafficking cases and was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued at India’s request.
According to NDTV, Dola had fled India and taken refuge in Istanbul, where he remained in hiding to avoid detection by Indian security agencies. Officials involved in the operation described the challenge of locating him as extremely difficult, given his efforts to remain out of sight and avoid communication for an extended period.
The report states that Dola reportedly stayed indoors for nearly one-and-a-half years, limiting his movements and avoiding direct contact with others. However, his attempt to receive a courier at his hideout proved to be a critical mistake. This action allowed authorities to trace his location, leading to coordinated efforts between Indian agencies and international partners.
Once his whereabouts were identified, Indian officials alerted local law enforcement in Istanbul. Turkish police subsequently conducted a raid at the location and arrested him. Following his detention, Dola was brought to India earlier this week to face further investigation.
During searches conducted at his residence, officials recovered multiple passports, including two Indian passports and one Bulgarian document. He was reportedly using a false identity under the name “Hamza” while staying in Turkey. Authorities are currently examining the authenticity of these documents.
The NDTV report adds that a Mumbai court has remanded Dola to the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau as investigations continue into his alleged role in international drug trafficking networks linked to Dawood Ibrahim.
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