Despite hundreds of jugaads, Dawood’s ‘Hamza’ Salim Dola was arrested from Türkiye.

New Delhi: Salim Dola, a close aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, has been arrested in Turkey. After extradition he has been brought to India. 59 year old Salim Dola, resident of Dongri, Mumbai, was wanted in several narcotics cases and was absconding for a long time. He was caught on the Red Corner Notice of Interpol.

This mission was like finding a needle in a haystack 

According to media reports, Indian security agencies were searching for Dola for many years. According to officers, finding Salim Dola was like finding a needle in a haystack. He kept escaping by repeatedly changing his location and identity. But ultimately a small mistake put him behind the bars.

Where was Dola underground? 

Salim Dola had fled to Istanbul due to fear of Indian agencies. There he went completely underground. Did not come out of his room for about one and a half years. He thought he was safe. But then he made a mistake. Perhaps he had no idea that this mistake would get him arrested.

This mistake proved costly 

Actually recently Dola ordered a courier. In haste or carelessness, he gave the delivery address of the same place where he was hiding. Indian agencies got the clue from this transaction. Dola’s location was traced with the help of Interpol. Istanbul Police was immediately informed. He was caught in the raid. On the coming Tuesday (05 May 2026), he was brought to Delhi from Türkiye.

Dola was living as ‘Hamza’ 

According to the information received, during the search of the room, three passports were found from Salim Dola. Two Indian and one Bulgarian passports. He was living in Türkiye under the name ‘Hamza’ on a Bulgarian passport. Now investigation is underway to determine whether the Bulgarian passport was genuine or fake.

On Thursday (01 May 2026), a Mumbai court sent Dola to the custody of Narcotics Control Bureau till 8 May 2026. NCB told the court that Dola is an international drug smuggler and is associated with Dawood Ibrahim. He was the main supplier of a large consignment of Mephedrone seized from South Mumbai in June 2023.