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Drug lord Salim Dola deported from Turkiye; used Bulgarian passport under the alias Hamza
Fugitive Indian drug lord Salim Dola, who had been in Turkiye, was deported to India on April 28, 2026 under Operation Global-Hunt. He is being questioned by Mumbai's Narcotics Control Bureau, with past arrests and a Red Corner Notice noted in the timeline.
Why It Matters
The case highlights cross-border drug trafficking networks and India's use of international operations to apprehend fugitives involved in large-scale narcotics activity.
Timeline
8 Events
Custody remand to NCB and ongoing questioning
May 1, 2026
A Mumbai city court sent him to NCB custody till May 8; he is being questioned by NCB officials in Mumbai.
Deportation to India under Operation Global-Hunt
April 28, 2026
Dola was brought to India from Turkiye under Operation Global-Hunt; Indian Home Minister Amit Shah called it a major breakthrough.
Deportation of son and nephew from UAE
2025
Last year (2025), his son Taher Salim Dola and nephew Mohammed Kubbawala were deported from the UAE.
Red Corner Notice issued in Istanbul
March 2024
In March 2024, while in Istanbul, a Red Corner Notice was issued against him.
Arrived in Turkiye on a holiday with family
2024
He arrived in Turkiye on a holiday with his family in 2024 and remained there for about two years.
Jumped bail and fled India
2018
He jumped bail and fled India in 2018 after his arrest, later reaching the UAE.
DRI arrest and major gutka seizure
2017
In 2017, the DRI arrested him after seizing nearly 100,000 gutka pouches worth over ₹5 crore intended for Kuwait; the consignments were seized at Pipavav port in Gujarat and at a godown in Delhi.
First arrest in 1998
July 28, 1998
Dola was arrested at Sahara airport in Mumbai while attempting to smuggle Mandrax tablets.