Salim Dola Arrest Disrupts Haji Salim Cartel, Narcotics Network Shifts Routes

September 22, 2026

New Delhi: The arrest and subsequent extradition of Salim Dola has disrupted the operations of the Dawood Ibrahim-Haji Salim narcotics network, with intelligence inputs indicating that the cartel has scaled down its activities and shifted routes in South India.

According to officials, Haji Salim, who is alleged to oversee the network’s operations in South India, has been reworking his strategy following Dola’s arrest. Agencies tracking the network say its activities have become more discreet, with smaller consignments and alternative coastal routes being used to evade detection.

Narcotics Consignments Shift To Smaller Loads

An Intelligence Bureau official said one of the major changes noticed after Dola’s arrest has been a shift in the landing points used for narcotics consignments.

Officials said the quantities being smuggled have also declined significantly. According to one official, consignments that were previously estimated at around 2,000 to 5,000 kg have been replaced by smaller shipments, which are allegedly intended to attract less scrutiny.

Another official said the network has increasingly relied on traditional smuggling methods and coastal locations with difficult terrain.

In Tamil Nadu, areas around Vedaranyam and Nagapattinam are among the locations being monitored. Officials said small boats can blend into local maritime traffic, making detection more difficult. Rameswaram, the Palk Strait and the outer coast of Thoothukudi have also emerged as routes of interest, with agencies examining the alleged use of local fishing networks.

Network Shifts From Kerala’s Vizhinjam Coast

Kerala has also witnessed several major narcotics interceptions in recent years. According to officials, the Vizhinjam outer sea coastline near Thiruvananthapuram was previously a preferred route for the network.

Following multiple successful interceptions involving large quantities of drugs, officials said activity along the route has declined for the time being.

The network is now allegedly relying more on coastal waters around rural Kochi, Kasargod and Malappuram. Officials said the consignments moving through these routes are believed to be intended primarily for markets in Kerala, Goa and Karnataka.

Agencies Continue To Track Cartel’s South India Operations

Officials said repeated enforcement operations have slowed the activities of the network, which was previously described by agencies as a major player across South India as well as Mauritius, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

According to intelligence inputs cited by officials, shipments linked to Haji Salim’s network previously originated in Iran, travelled through Afghanistan and Malaysia and subsequently reached Sri Lanka before allegedly entering markets in India and other countries.

The arrest and extradition of Salim Dola has added to the pressure on the network, officials said. At the same time, agencies remain alert to attempts by the cartel to adapt by finding new routes and using coastal areas where surveillance may be comparatively lower.

Officials said the network may have reduced its activities but remains under close scrutiny as agencies continue efforts to disrupt narcotics trafficking routes.