Salim Dola Drug Syndicate: ED Arrests Two Accused, Uncovers Hawala Network and Crores in Assets

Salim Dola Drug Syndicate: ED's Major Action Against an Alleged International Network

The Enforcement Directorate has intensified its investigation into an alleged international drug trafficking network linked to Salim Ismail Dola, arresting two men suspected of playing key roles in the operation. The agency's investigation focuses on the alleged manufacture and distribution of synthetic drugs, the procurement of chemicals used in their production, and the movement of illicit proceeds through financial channels.

The two accused have been identified as Pravin alias Nagesh Ramchandra Shinde and Brijesh Kanjibhai Moradiya. The ED's Mumbai Zonal Office arrested them under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

According to the agency, the alleged syndicate operated across multiple stages of the drug supply chain, from obtaining precursor chemicals and manufacturing mephedrone to distributing the substance and transferring the proceeds through hawala channels. The investigation has also brought properties in India and Dubai under scrutiny. <Cite refs={["turn116828search0","turn116828search1"]}/>

Who Are the Two Accused Arrested by the ED?

The ED has alleged that Pravin Shinde and Brijesh Moradiya performed different roles within the suspected network.

Pravin alias Nagesh Ramchandra Shinde: According to the agency, Shinde was allegedly involved in the clandestine manufacture of mephedrone, commonly known as MD. Investigators are also examining his alleged role in handling the proceeds generated through the drug's illegal sale and using those funds to acquire assets.

The ED suspects that some properties and other assets were acquired in the names of people closely associated with Shinde using money allegedly generated through illicit activities.

Brijesh Kanjibhai Moradiya: The agency alleges that Moradiya arranged the procurement and supply of precursor chemicals required for manufacturing MD. Investigators are examining financial transactions involving chemical suppliers, third-party bank accounts, family accounts and businesses allegedly connected to the transactions.

These allegations form part of an ongoing investigation. The arrests do not, by themselves, establish the guilt of either accused.

How Did the Alleged Drug Network Operate?

According to the ED, the suspected syndicate was involved in multiple stages of the illegal drug trade. These included procuring chemicals, manufacturing mephedrone at clandestine facilities, transporting the substance between states and allegedly trafficking it internationally.

The agency is also investigating how the money generated through the alleged drug trade was collected, transferred and invested.

Investigators suspect that hawala channels and multiple bank accounts were used to move funds while obscuring their origins. The alleged financial network included accounts belonging to third parties and family members, as well as transactions involving chemical companies and other entities.

The investigation is aimed at tracing the alleged proceeds of crime and identifying the individuals and businesses involved in facilitating the transactions.

Hawala Transactions and Chemical Purchases Under Investigation

One of the major aspects of the case concerns the alleged movement of money used to purchase chemicals required for manufacturing MD.

According to the ED, cash linked to Salim Dola was allegedly routed through an Angadiya channel, a system used in India for transferring money and valuables. Investigators allege that the funds were subsequently deposited into and moved through multiple third-party and family bank accounts before reaching chemical companies and other entities.

The agency is examining whether payments connected to chemical procurement were subsequently layered through further transactions and whether commissions were routed to Moradiya and accounts associated with him.

The alleged use of multiple accounts and business transactions is central to the money laundering investigation because the ED is seeking to establish the source, movement and eventual use of the funds.

ED Searches 21 Locations Across Four Cities

Before the arrests, the ED conducted searches at 21 locations across Mumbai, Surat, Ankleshwar and Rajkot on June 2 and 3, 2026.

The searches targeted suspected links throughout the alleged supply chain, including precursor chemical suppliers, chemical traders, MD manufacturers and distributors, hawala operators and individuals suspected of holding properties acquired with illicit proceeds.

During the operation, the agency seized or froze cash, foreign currency, gold bars and bank balances valued at approximately ₹1.33 crore. An additional US$2,200 was also seized or frozen.

The ED further recovered documents relating to immovable properties worth several crores of rupees in India and Dubai. According to the agency, these documents indicated that substantial sums allegedly generated through the drug network had been invested in property.

The ₹1.33 crore figure relates to the cash, foreign currency, gold and bank balances reported in connection with the searches. It should not be confused with the separate estimated value of the properties under investigation. <Cite refs={["turn116828search9","turn116828search4"]}/>

Who Is Salim Ismail Dola?

Salim Ismail Dola is described by law enforcement agencies as an alleged international narcotics trafficker. The current ED investigation concerns a suspected transnational network operated by Dola and his associates.

According to Hindustan Times, Dola was extradited from Turkey by the Narcotics Control Bureau in April 2026.

The ED's money laundering investigation is based on multiple first information reports registered by law enforcement agencies in Mumbai against Dola and others in connection with alleged narcotics offences.

The present action focuses on tracing the financial infrastructure associated with the suspected network, including the procurement of chemicals, alleged drug manufacturing, movement of funds and acquisition of assets.

Why Is the ED Investigating Properties in India and Dubai?

Financial investigations into alleged drug trafficking frequently examine whether proceeds from illegal activities have been invested in property, businesses or other assets.

In this case, the ED has recovered documents relating to properties in India and Dubai and is examining whether they were acquired using money generated through the alleged syndicate.

The agency is also investigating whether assets were held in the names of associates or other individuals to conceal their alleged ownership or the source of the funds.

The identification of property documents does not automatically mean that every asset mentioned is proven to have been purchased with illegal money. That determination depends on the evidence gathered during the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.

What Happens Next?

The ED's investigation remains ongoing. Investigators are expected to continue tracing financial transactions, examining the alleged roles of chemical suppliers and intermediaries, and identifying assets potentially connected to the suspected drug network.

Further legal proceedings and any additional arrests will depend on the evidence collected by the agency. The case may also involve further examination of domestic and international financial links.

The key questions remain how the alleged network obtained chemicals, how the suspected drug proceeds were transferred, and whether the assets identified by investigators can be linked to the alleged illegal trade.

Conclusion

The arrests of Pravin Shinde and Brijesh Moradiya mark a significant development in the ED's investigation into the alleged international drug syndicate linked to Salim Dola. The agency is examining suspected connections between mephedrone manufacturing, chemical procurement, hawala transactions and investments in properties in India and Dubai.

Earlier searches across 21 locations resulted in the seizure or freezing of assets worth approximately ₹1.33 crore, alongside the recovery of property-related documents. However, the investigation is continuing, and the allegations against the accused remain subject to legal proceedings.

Sources: Aaj Tak, October 10, 2026; India Today, October 9, 2026; Hindustan Times, October 10, 2026; Enforcement Directorate press release, June 2026.

Editorial note: Allegations attributed to the ED are presented as claims under investigation, not as established guilt.