Indian security forces have initiated Operation Global Hunt, a collaborative effort with Interpol aimed at apprehending criminals who flee abroad after committing crimes in India, particularly in relation to international drug syndicates.
Indian security forces have launched a major joint operation with Interpol to dismantle international drug syndicates and crack down on fugitives who commit crimes in India and flee abroad. The operation named ‘Operation Global Hunt,’ is being carried out with an objective to track down criminals running “drug-terror networks” from foreign soil and bring them back to India.
Conceived as a three-year strategic offensive, the operation led by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) targets around 100 international drug networks allegedly operated by Indian fugitives from safe havens such as Dubai, Canada, and parts of Europe.
Planned during an Interpol conference and backed by a detailed roadmap submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the initiative will leverage Interpol Red Notices, asset freezes, and coordinated raids with foreign agencies. The aim is to hunt, arrest, and repatriate key kingpins, often through special flights, after dossiers are submitted to host governments.
First big arrest: Dawood aide Salim Dola
Under this operation, Indian security agencies have successfully deported Salim Ismail Dola, a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim, from Istanbul and brought him back to India. Officials say that Dola played a key role in running a transnational synthetic drug racket estimated to be worth over Rs 5,000 crore.
According to investigators, Dola’s role goes beyond that of a mere courier. The NCB told the court that he has been identified as a key supplier in a major mephedrone seizure in South Mumbai in June 2023, involving a commercial quantity of the drug. His alleged links to Dawood Ibrahim have also come under renewed scrutiny as agencies attempt to map the full extent of the network.
Soon after landing in the national capital, Dola was taken into custody by intelligence agencies and is currently being questioned at a secure, undisclosed location. He is likely to be handed over to the Mumbai Police or the NCB in the coming days in connection with multiple cases related to drug trafficking and money laundering.
