Drug lord Salim Dola lived in Turkiye on Bulgarian passport: Officials
Fugitive drug lord Salim Dola, deported from Turkiye to India, had been living in Istanbul under a false Bulgarian passport using the name 'Hamza' after being trapped in the country since 2024 due to a Red Corner Notice. He initially fled India in 2018 while on bail and had been operating a transnational drug syndicate linked to synthetic drug labs across multiple countries. Indian agencies, including the NCB, are now questioning him in Mumbai as part of 'Operation Global-Hunt,' a broader effort to track Indian nationals involved in international drug trafficking.
- ▪Salim Dola was deported from Turkiye to India and is currently in NCB custody for questioning.
- ▪He was living in Istanbul under a Bulgarian passport using the alias 'Hamza' after being unable to leave Turkiye due to a Red Corner Notice issued in 2024.
- ▪Dola escaped India in 2018 while on bail and had been involved in a transnational drug trafficking network spanning the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
- ▪Indian agencies provided Turkish authorities with Dola’s location and identity, leading to his arrest in Beylikduzu, Istanbul.
- ▪He has a long criminal history involving seizures of heroin, mephedrone, mandrax, and gutka, and was previously arrested by DRI, Mumbai Police, and NCB.
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Drug lord Salim Dola lived in Turkiye on Bulgarian passport: OfficialsOfficials privy to the developments said initial probe found Dola was staying in Turkiye on a Bulgarian passport under the name ‘Hamza’Published on: May 01, 2026 1:53 PM ISTBy Prawesh LamaShare viaCopy link Fugitive drug lord Salim Dola, who was deported from Turkiye under on Tuesday, had acquired a Bulgarian passport to escape from the country under the fake name of Hamza, officials aware of the matter said. The Indian agencies have taken photocopies of his Bulgarian passport.NCB officials escort Dawood Ibrahim’s close aide Salim Dola for medical at NCB office in Ballard Estate in Mumbai.
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