Mumbai Crime Branch seeks Salim Dola custody in Mysuru drug factory case
Synopsis
Alleged Dawood Ibrahim aide Mohammad Salim Dola, deported from Türkiye just weeks ago, now faces a second custody battle — Mumbai Crime Branch Unit 2 wants him for the Mysuru drug factory case, even as Unit 7 already has him in the Sangli drugs probe. The case is rapidly expanding into a multi-agency, multi-state narcotics investigation with cross-border dimensions.
Key Takeaways
Mumbai Crime Branch Unit 2 is preparing to seek custody of Mohammad Salim Dola from Arthur Road Jail in connection with the Mysuru drug factory case .
Dola, a suspected aide of Dawood Ibrahim , was deported from Türkiye on 28 April 2026 and taken into custody by the NCB at Delhi's IGI Airport .
He has already been questioned for nearly two weeks in the Sangli drugs case by Crime Branch Unit 7 ; a court subsequently sent him to judicial custody.
In January 2026 , the NCB dismantled a drug lab in Hebbal Industrial Area, Mysuru , seizing drugs worth over ₹10 crore and 500+ kg of chemical precursors.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah cited Dola's deportation as evidence of India's cross-border anti-narcotics reach under PM Modi .
Investigators are probing the financial trail , supplier networks, and interstate links tied to the Mysuru drug manufacturing operation.
Mumbai Crime Branch is preparing to take custody of alleged drug mafia operative Mohammad Salim Dola from Arthur Road Jail in connection with the Mysuru drug factory case, officials confirmed on 25 May 2026. Officials from Crime Branch Unit 2 are expected to formally seek his remand for deeper interrogation into his alleged role in Karnataka's clandestine synthetic drug network.
Background: The Mysuru Drug Factory Case
The Mysuru drug factory case refers to the dismantling of large-scale narcotics syndicates that set up covert synthetic drug laboratories in and around Mysuru, Karnataka. The case has triggered significant political controversy, given that Mysuru is the native district of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Multiple high-profile raids and seizures have been conducted across the city in connection with the network.
In late January 2026, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) dismantled a major interstate drug trafficking laboratory hidden inside the Hebbal Industrial Area, which was operating under the cover of a commercial cleaning and chemical manufacturing unit. The NCB arrested alleged mastermind Mahindra Kumar Vishnoi and three associates from Rajasthan. Authorities seized street drugs worth over ₹10 crore, more than 500 kilograms of chemical precursors, cash, and a Toyota Fortuner SUV. Forensic analysis later confirmed the production of Mephedrone (MD) and the presence of opium in connected units.
Dola's Arrest and Custody Trail
Dola, believed to be a close aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was deported to India from Türkiye on 28 April 2026 after being detained by Turkish agencies in Beylikduzu. The NCB took him into custody upon his arrival at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
He has since been questioned for nearly two weeks by Mumbai Crime Branch Unit 7 in connection with the Sangli drugs case. On Monday, he was produced in court by Unit 7, following which the court sent him to judicial custody at Arthur Road Jail. Investigators are now seeking to probe his alleged links to the Mysuru drug manufacturing network through a fresh custody application by Crime Branch Unit 2.
What the Government Said
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, described Dola's deportation as a major breakthrough. 'Zero tolerance against the narco syndicate. The @narcoticsbureau today made a major breakthrough in securing the return of notorious drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Türkiye,' Shah wrote. He added that under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, anti-narcotics agencies had extended their reach across borders through a robust network of global agencies. 'Now, no matter where they hide, no place is safe for drug kingpins,' he said.
What Investigators Are Looking For
Crime Branch officials suspect that further interrogation of Dola could expose several interstate links within the narcotics network. Investigators are also examining the financial trail, supplier chains, and possible handlers connected to the operation. The probe is expected to widen as agencies map the full extent of the syndicate's cross-border reach.
With custody proceedings now underway in multiple jurisdictions, the case is set to intensify in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
The Mysuru connection — in the Chief Minister's home district — gives the case a political charge that agencies will need to insulate their investigation from. The real measure of success here is not the arrest headline but whether the financial trail and handler network are mapped before key witnesses are compromised.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mohammad Salim Dola and why was he arrested?
Mohammad Salim Dola is an alleged drug mafia operative believed to be a close aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. He was detained in Türkiye and deported to India on 28 April 2026, where the NCB took him into custody at Delhi's IGI Airport in connection with narcotics trafficking cases.
What is the Mysuru drug factory case?
The Mysuru drug factory case refers to a series of raids targeting clandestine synthetic drug laboratories set up in and around Mysuru, Karnataka. In January 2026, the NCB dismantled a major lab in the Hebbal Industrial Area, seizing drugs worth over ₹10 crore and arresting alleged mastermind Mahindra Kumar Vishnoi along with three associates.
Why is Mumbai Crime Branch seeking Salim Dola's custody now?
Crime Branch Unit 2 wants to question Dola about his alleged links to the Mysuru drug manufacturing network. Investigators suspect his interrogation could reveal interstate connections, financial trails, and handlers tied to the operation, beyond what has already emerged in the Sangli drugs case.
What did Home Minister Amit Shah say about Salim Dola's deportation?
Amit Shah posted on X that the NCB had made a 'major breakthrough' in securing Dola's return from Türkiye, describing it as evidence of India's zero tolerance against narco syndicates. He credited the achievement to PM Modi's vision of extending anti-narcotics reach across borders through global agency networks.
What drugs were found in the Mysuru drug lab raid?
The NCB's January 2026 raid on the Hebbal Industrial Area lab confirmed the production of Mephedrone (MD) and the presence of opium in connected units. Investigators also seized over 500 kilograms of chemical precursors, cash, and a Toyota Fortuner SUV, with total drug value exceeding ₹10 crore.
