The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Mumbai zonal office has intensified its crackdown on a transnational organised narcotics trafficking syndicate allegedly operated by Salim Ismail Dola and his associates. In a major operation, the central agency seized assets valued at Rs 1.33 crore along with US$2,200 in cash, as stated in an official release issued on Thursday.
Search Operations Across Multiple Locations
ED teams conducted extensive search operations at 21 locations spanning Mumbai, Surat, Ankleshwar, and Rajkot on June 2 and 3. These searches were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The agency targeted critical links in the illicit supply chain and money laundering ecosystem to disrupt the syndicate's operational capabilities and financial infrastructure.
Seizures and Recoveries
The searches resulted in the seizure and freezing of cash, foreign currency, gold bars, and bank balances totalling approximately Rs 1.33 crore, along with foreign currency amounting to USD 2,200. Additionally, documents related to immovable properties worth several crores of rupees located in India and Dubai were recovered. These documents indicate substantial investments made from the proceeds of the organised drug syndicate.
Investigation Background
The investigation was initiated based on multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by various law enforcement agencies in Mumbai against Salim Dola and others for offences related to the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The ED is continuing its probe to unravel the full extent of the syndicate's operations and money laundering activities.
