Archive · 9 Oct 2026
ED Arrests Two in Dawood Aide’s Drug Syndicate Probe
India’s financial investigation agency has arrested two men in a case about an alleged drug-trafficking network.
The agency says the network was operated by Salim Ismail Dola and his associates.
It alleges that one arrested man helped make a drug called mephedrone and dealt with money from its sale.
The other is accused of arranging chemicals used to make the drug.
Investigators say payments moved through several accounts before reaching chemical companies.
The agency also says money from the alleged drug business was used to buy property and other assets.
Earlier searches were carried out at 21 places in four Indian cities.
Officials reported seizing or freezing money, foreign currency, gold, and bank balances.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Pravin alias Nagesh Ramchandra Shinde and Brijesh Kanjibhai Moradiya under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The agency says the investigation concerns a transnational narcotics syndicate operated by Salim Ismail Dola and associates.
The ED alleges Shinde was involved in clandestine mephedrone manufacture and handling proceeds from its illicit sale.
Moradiya is accused of arranging precursor chemicals, with payments allegedly routed through third-party and family accounts.
Earlier searches at 21 locations yielded cash, foreign currency, gold, and bank balances valued at about Rs 1.33 crore, plus $2,200.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate arrested Pravin alias Nagesh Ramchandra Shinde and Brijesh Kanjibhai Moradiya; the probe concerns a syndicate allegedly operated by Salim Ismail Dola and associates.
- What
- Two men were arrested in an investigation into alleged narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
- When
- The arrests were reported on Friday; earlier searches took place on June 2 and 3, 2026.
- Where
- The investigation is being conducted by the ED’s Mumbai Zonal Office. Earlier searches covered Mumbai, Surat, Ankleshwar, and Rajkot.
- Why
- The ED alleges that Shinde was involved in clandestine mephedrone manufacture and proceeds handling, while Moradiya arranged procurement and supply of a precursor chemical.
- Arrested
- Pravin alias Nagesh Ramchandra Shinde and Brijesh Kanjibhai Moradiya
- Agency
- Enforcement Directorate, Mumbai Zonal Office
- Law cited
- Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
- Drug cited
- Mephedrone (MD)
- Earlier search locations
- 21 locations across Mumbai, Surat, Ankleshwar, and Rajkot
- Search dates
- June 2 and June 3, 2026
- Reported seizure and freezing
- Cash, foreign currency, gold bars, and bank balances valued at approximately Rs 1.33 crore, plus $2,200
- Property documents
- Documents concerning immovable properties worth several crores of rupees in India and Dubai were recovered