In a sweeping operation that once again exposed the financial undercurrents of Mumbai’s underworld, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has unearthed crucial money trails linked to Dawood Ibrahim’s close aide, Salim Dola. 

Acting under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the ED’s Mumbai Zonal Office conducted raids on October 8 at nine locations across the city, including Dongri, Mazgaon, and Worli, to trace illicit money linked to a vast drug network allegedly run by Faisal Javed Shaikh and his wife Alfiya Faisal Shaikh.

The searches led to the seizure of Rs 42 lakh in cash, three luxury vehicles (including two BMWs), several digital devices, property documents, and other incriminating records. One bank locker and multiple bank accounts, suspected of holding drug proceeds, were also frozen.

Faisal Shaikh, a repeat offender previously arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), is alleged to have sourced mephedrone (MD) from Salim Dola, a key figure in Dawood’s narcotics operations. Dola, once a notorious name in Cotton Green’s smuggling circles, is currently believed to be hiding in Turkey, while his associate Shakeel Shaikh is said to be coordinating operations from the UAE.

Rs 100-crore shell firm web under scanner

According to investigators, this was far more than a typical drug racket. The ED extended its probe beyond those named in the original NCB case, uncovering a network of shell companies involved in paper transactions exceeding Rs 100 crore, as well as firms suspected of sending foreign remittances.

Officials believe these entities were used to launder drug money through hawala channels, bogus invoicing, and paper firms, classic methods of layering and cleaning illicit funds. The ED launched its PMLA probe based on an NCB case against Ashik Varis Ali, Nasir Khan, Faisal Javed Shaikh, Alfiya Faisal Shaikh, Irfan Yusuf Faruqi, Azim Abu Salim Khan alias Azim Bhau, Faizan Mohammad Shafi Shaikh, Mohammad Shahid Faridudin Chaudhary alias Baboos, and others for allegedly operating a narcotics syndicate in Mumbai.

Faisal Shaikh, the main accused, allegedly procured MD drugs through Salim Dola, a wanted drug kingpin. Dola remains on the radar of law enforcement agencies for his suspected role in drug trafficking and financing illegal narcotics operations. The NCB has announced a reward for information leading to his arrest.

Following his release on bail in the current NCB case, Faisal Shaikh, deemed a habitual offender, was also placed under preventive detention under PIT-NDPS (Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act).

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