ACTION PUNJAB NEWS Desk: In a startling revelation, Jaffer Sadiq, a former DMK functionary and a prominent figure in the South Indian film industry, has been apprehended for his alleged involvement in smuggling drugs worth over Rs 2,000 crore out of the country. The arrest came following an extensive four-month-long manhunt, disclosed the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
According to officials, Sadiq is purportedly the mastermind behind an intricate drug trafficking network spanning India, Australia, and New Zealand. Gyaneshwar Singh, NCB’s Deputy Director General, disclosed that Sadiq orchestrated the smuggling of 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the production of methamphetamine, to Australia, concealing it ingeniously within coconuts and dry fruits.
Reports indicate that Sadiq managed to evade authorities by traversing through various cities, including Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and ultimately reaching Jaipur. During his illicit operations, he accrued substantial wealth, which he subsequently invested in real estate ventures and film production endeavours, including his latest project titled “Mangai”. Additionally, he utilised the proceeds from drug trafficking to acquire a hotel.
Sadiq, who has produced four films to date, was on the verge of releasing another film when he was apprehended by law enforcement authorities. His arrest came on the heels of a significant drug seizure where methamphetamine valued at Rs180 crore was intercepted from two rail passengers in Madurai and from a dump yard in Chennai, intended for smuggling into Sri Lanka.
Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as “ice” or “crystal meth”, is a potent psychostimulant notorious for its addictive properties and severe health consequences. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had previously warned about the dangers associated with this illicit substance.
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The arrest of Sadiq and the subsequent drug busts have raised concerns among political circles, with the BJP state chief K Annamalai criticising the ruling DMK and alleging that Tamil Nadu has become a hub for drug trafficking. Annamalai highlighted the magnitude of the issue, citing instances of significant drug seizures and implicating high-profile individuals associated with the drug syndicate.
In a parallel development, three other individuals linked to the international drug syndicate were apprehended by the NCB in Delhi, underscoring the widespread nature of the illicit drug trade. Moreover, cooperation between the NCB and the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation indicates the transnational dimensions of the investigation into drug trafficking activities.
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(Inputs from agencies)
