The recent arrest of Salim Dola, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim, is a significant development for Indian intelligence agencies. Dola’s interrogation is expected to assist in uncovering his extensive network and combating the smuggling of mephedrone into India.
Mephedrone, a synthetic drug known by various names like white magic and meow-meow, has been flooding Indian markets in large quantities over the years. Dola and his associates were involved in producing and smuggling this drug, with mephedrone having a substantial consumer base in India.
Dola’s focus on marketing mephedrone was due to its popularity among Indian youth. This highly addictive substance, with a lower cost compared to cocaine, has attracted many users in India. The drug’s affordability at Rs 160 per gram, in contrast to cocaine’s Rs 3,000 per gram, made it a lucrative business for Dola.
Officials highlighted Dola’s plans to expand his drug operations beyond states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh to other regions in India. Mephedrone’s introduction in India in 2013 led to its rise as a favored narcotic among the youth, with studies indicating a significant increase in its consumption over the years.
Dola’s transnational drug syndicate, in addition to smuggling mephedrone, was involved in trafficking other substances like mandrake, charas, and methamphetamine. Investigations have revealed his network spanning across multiple countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, with plans to establish supply chains in India through chemists and pharma dealers.
