ED seizes assets linked to Salim Dola drug ring

Ahmedabad: The ongoing action by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) Mumbai zonal office against a ‘transnational organised narcotics trafficking syndicate’ allegedly run by Salim Ismail Dola and his associates has resulted in seizure of assets worth Rs 1.33 crore along with US$2,200 in cash, the central agency stated in an official release on Thursday.

The ED teams conducted search operations at 21 locations across Mumbai, Surat, Ankleshwar and Rajkot on June 2 and 3 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

“The search operation targeted critical links of the illicit supply chain and money laundering ecosystem to significantly disrupt the syndicate’s operational capabilities and financial infrastructure. The searches resulted in the seizure and freezing of cash, foreign currency, gold bars and bank balances valued at approximately Rs 1.33 crore, along with foreign currency, ie USD 2,200,” read the release.

It added that documents relating to immovable properties worth several crores of rupees located in India and Dubai were recovered, “indicating substantial investments made from the proceeds of the organised drug syndicate.”

The investigation in the matter was initiated on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by various law enforcement agencies in Mumbai against Salim Dola and others for offences relating to illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, according to the release.