Salim Dola (59), described as a close associate of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, has been deported to India in connection with narcotics cases, officials said.
Investigators say Dola is a key figure in international drug trafficking and faces 10 cases under India’s narcotics law. He is also named as a main accused in a seizure of MD (mephedrone) worth Rs 252 crore in Maharashtra’s Sangli district.
On the request of India’s central investigative agency, Interpol had issued a Red Corner Notice against him. He was arrested in Istanbul in a joint operation by Turkey’s national intelligence organisation and local police.
Indian agencies pursued his return with assistance from the United Arab Emirates, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held talks with the UAE government, the report said. Dola was flown to Delhi on a special aircraft on Monday morning and is currently in the custody of intelligence officials.
He is expected to be handed over to Mumbai Police for further questioning. Last year, Dola’s son Tahir Dola and an aide, Salim Mohammed Sohail Shaikh, were deported to India from Dubai.
