02 June,2026 04:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
ED searches chemical traders, hawala operators in drug trafficking and money laundering case. File Pic
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched a large-scale search operation across Maharashtra and Gujarat as part of a money laundering investigation into a transnational narcotics trafficking network allegedly run by recently extradited Salim Ismail Dola and his associates, reported ANI.
The searches are being carried out at 20 locations in Mumbai, Surat, Ankleshwar and Rajkot, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The operation comes weeks after the Central government successfully extradited Salim Dola from Turkey. Dola, considered a close aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, is accused of operating an international drug trafficking network, as per the news agency.
ED's Mumbai Zonal Office began the coordinated searches early Tuesday at premises linked to suppliers of precursor chemicals, chemical traders, narcotics traffickers, hawala operators and individuals suspected of holding benami properties purchased using proceeds generated by the syndicate.
According to officials, the money laundering investigation was initiated on the basis of several FIRs registered in Mumbai against Dola and others for offences related to the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
As the investigation progressed, officials said they uncovered "a highly organised trans-national criminal network" involved in the procurement of precursor chemicals, clandestine manufacturing of the synthetic narcotic drug Mephedrone (MD), interstate transportation and distribution of drugs, and international trafficking operations, reported the news agency.
Officials said the network was also involved in collecting and layering proceeds of crime through hawala channels and acquiring movable and immovable assets in the names of associates and other individuals.
The ED said the ongoing searches are aimed at examining the entire chain linked to the syndicate's operations, as per ANI.
During the raids, investigators are scrutinising manufacturing units, including chemical factories, financial facilitators, accountants, chartered accountants and hawala operators suspected of helping launder the proceeds generated through the narcotics trade.
An official said the investigation is covering "the entire chain starting from manufacturing units (chemical factories)" to financial intermediaries and those involved in investing illicit funds in properties held under benami names in India as well as assets acquired abroad, reported the news agency.
A per the news agency reports, ED is also examining the role of individuals involved in the purchase of properties using proceeds generated by the organised drug syndicate.
The searches are continuing, with officials analysing documents, financial records and other evidence to trace the money trail and identify all those connected to the alleged narcotics and money laundering network.
(With ANI Inputs)
