In a major crackdown, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of India has initiated ‘Operation Sagar Manthan,’ targeting the large-scale drug cartel activities of notorious smuggler Haji Salim, also known as the “Lord of Drugs.”
The operation, launched under the directives of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to dismantle Salim’s trafficking syndicate, which operates on a global scale. As part of the operation, authorities have seized nearly 4,000 kilograms of illicit drugs linked directly to Salim’s cartel, with several Pakistani nationals taken into custody in connection with the bust.
Haji Salim, also referred to as Haji Baloch, is believed to be the mastermind of a vast drug trafficking pipeline spanning from Pakistan to India and other countries, officials reported.
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Speaking to ANI, Deputy Director General of the NCB, Gyaneshwar Singh, said, “Haji Salim is one of the biggest drug traffickers in the world, who supplies large shipments of heroin, methamphetamine, and other illegal narcotics through a complex network that spans across Asia, Africa, and the West. He has a very big network. He has been on our radar for a long time but in this case, I would not like to comment on Haji Salim’s name or anyone else’s name because the investigation is still at a very initial stage.”
Salim is allegedly the head of a massive smuggling syndicate that transports large quantities of narcotics to multiple countries, including India, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. His name is on the radar of several international law enforcement agencies, including those in the United States, Malaysia, Iran, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Afghanistan.
“He is one of the most wanted drug kingpins in the Indian Ocean region. His operations are vast, and the scale of his trafficking syndicate is unparalleled,” Singh said.
Singh further added, “Salim’s network is linked to narco-terrorism activities that destabilize the region. His drugs are not only a menace to society but also fund terror operations across borders.”
Officials revealed that Salim’s drug empire first came to light in 2015 when a massive consignment of narcotics, worth several crores, was intercepted off the coast of Kerala. Since then, NCB operations have resulted in the seizure of drugs valued at an estimated ₹40,000 crores in the last two and a half years alone. Despite these crackdowns, Salim has continued his illicit activities, earning him the nickname “Raktbeej” in global drug trafficking circles.
Salim’s syndicate is known for smuggling drugs via the sea, often using unique markings to identify his shipments. Seized narcotics frequently bear symbols such as 777, 555, 999, flying horses, and scorpions, all tied to Salim’s network, officials noted.
Intelligence sources revealed that Salim’s drug shipments typically originate in Iran, pass through Afghanistan and Malaysia, and reach Sri Lanka. From there, the narcotics are transferred onto smaller vessels and transported to India’s coastline, usually under the cover of darkness, arriving at remote ports and beach locations.
Authorities also claim that Salim has a close connection with fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Intelligence suggests Salim has been seen entering and leaving Dawood’s mansion, although officials have little more than an old photograph and an address in Karachi, Pakistan, reportedly near Ibrahim’s hideout.
NCB sources further disclosed that Salim is allegedly backed by Pakistan’s ISI, which has provided him with satellite phones to maintain communication with his agents at sea. He reportedly recruits unemployed youth from Balochistan to carry out smuggling operations, adding another layer to his extensive network.
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