Mumbai Crime Branch seeks custody of Dawood aide Salim Dola from NCB
Synopsis
Dawood Ibrahim's close aide Salim Dola, already in NCB custody, now faces a Crime Branch custody queue stretching across at least three states — Sangli, Mysuru, and Telangana. With a two-decade criminal record, an Interpol Red Notice, and links to India's most wanted don, investigators believe Dola could crack open a major drug syndicate if interrogated at length.
Key Takeaways
The Mumbai Crime Branch has filed an application in a special NDPS court seeking a production warrant for Salim Dola , a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim .
Dola is currently in NCB custody until 8 May 2025 , being interrogated in drug-related cases.
The Crime Branch plans consecutive custody for the Sangli, Mysuru, and Telangana drug cases , among others.
Dola's name surfaced in the seizure of 4 kg of MD drugs in 2024 ; he has a two-decade criminal record involving heroin, mephedrone, and methamphetamine.
An Interpol Red Corner Notice was issued against Dola in March 2024 ; his son Taher Salim Dola was extradited from the UAE in 2025 .
The NDPS court will make the final decision on the production warrant.
The Mumbai Crime Branch has filed an application in a special NDPS court seeking custody of Salim Dola, a close associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, officials said on Tuesday, 5 May. Dola, 59, is currently in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) until 8 May, where he is being interrogated in connection with multiple drug-related cases.
What the Crime Branch Has Requested
By filing the application, the Crime Branch has asked the court to issue a production warrant, which would allow investigators to take Dola into their custody once his present remand with the NCB concludes. As per legal protocol, the Crime Branch must first demonstrate to the court why the accused's custody is necessary. If the court is satisfied that interrogation in other cases is warranted, it issues the production warrant — only then can the agency formally take custody.
Cases Lined Up for Interrogation
The Crime Branch intends to seek consecutive custody of Dola across several cases, including — in chronological order — the Sangli drugs case, the Mysuru drugs case, and the Telangana drugs case, among several others. Investigations have reportedly revealed his suspected involvement in drug manufacturing operations uncovered in all three states. His name also surfaced in connection with the seizure of 4 kilograms of MD drugs in 2024.
Dola's Criminal Background
Dola, a resident of Mumbai, has a two-decade-long criminal record that includes direct involvement in high-value seizures of heroin, charas, mephedrone, Mandrax, and methamphetamine in Maharashtra and Gujarat. According to the Crime Branch, he has been a pivotal figure within several major drug trafficking networks and was consistently identified as a bulk supplier to downstream drug distribution networks across India.
An Interpol Red Corner Notice was issued at India's request in March 2024, as Dola had been absconding from Indian law enforcement agencies for several years. He was also wanted by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Mumbai Police. Notably, his son, Taher Salim Dola, along with other associates, was arrested by Mumbai Police following extradition from the UAE in 2025.
What Investigators Believe
The Crime Branch believes that sustained interrogation of Dola could lead to the dismantling of a major drug syndicate with links to the Dawood Ibrahim network. This comes amid a broader national crackdown on narcotics trafficking, with agencies including the NCB, ATS, and state crime branches increasingly coordinating multi-agency custody chains to extract maximum intelligence from high-value detainees.
What Happens Next
The final decision on the production warrant rests with the NDPS court. If approved, the Crime Branch will take custody of Dola after his NCB remand expires on 8 May. The outcome of the court's ruling is expected to shape the direction of multiple ongoing narcotics investigations across at least three states.
Point of View
Crime Branch next, with the Gujarat ATS also in the picture — reflects a deliberate intelligence-extraction strategy rather than a routine arrest. What is notable is the breadth of geography: Sangli, Mysuru, Telangana. That is not a local operation; it is a supply chain. The real question is whether Dola's interrogation produces actionable intelligence on Dawood Ibrahim's current narcotics financing structure, or whether — as has happened in past high-profile arrests — the syndicate insulates itself fast enough to render the leads stale. The extradition of his son from the UAE in 2025 suggests Indian agencies are applying pressure on the family network, which is a sharper tactic than targeting foot soldiers alone.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Salim Dola and why is he significant?
Salim Dola, 59, is a Mumbai-based close associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim with a two-decade criminal record involving heroin, charas, mephedrone, Mandrax, and methamphetamine trafficking across Maharashtra and Gujarat. He is considered a pivotal figure in major drug trafficking networks and was the subject of an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued in March 2024.
Why is the Mumbai Crime Branch seeking custody of Salim Dola?
The Crime Branch wants to interrogate Dola in connection with multiple drug cases, including the Sangli, Mysuru, and Telangana drug manufacturing cases, as well as a 2024 seizure of 4 kg of MD drugs. It believes his interrogation could help dismantle a major drug syndicate.
What is the current legal status of Salim Dola?
Dola is currently in NCB custody until 8 May, being interrogated in drug-related cases. The Mumbai Crime Branch has applied to the NDPS court for a production warrant to take custody after his NCB remand ends. The court's decision is pending.
What is a production warrant in this context?
A production warrant is a court order that allows an investigative agency to take custody of an accused person who is already in the custody of another agency. The Crime Branch must first convince the NDPS court that interrogating Dola in additional cases is necessary before such a warrant is issued.
What happened to Salim Dola's son?
Dola's son, Taher Salim Dola, along with other associates, was arrested by Mumbai Police following extradition from the UAE in 2025, indicating that Indian agencies have been pursuing the broader family network involved in the alleged drug operations.
