Drug Nexus Led By Fmr DMK Member & Intl Drug Lord Jaffer Sadiq Targeted Out-Of-State Students In Chennai Allegedly Through Student Unions

It has recently been uncovered that Jaffer Sadiq and his cohorts were involved in a startling drug distribution operation targeting out-of-state students residing and studying in and around Chennai.

Jaffer Sadiq, a former DMK executive aged 35, along with four others, has been apprehended in connection with a drug trafficking operation and incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail. Additionally, authorities from the enforcement department are probing allegations of their involvement in illicit financial transactions. Recently, raids were conducted in the homes and offices of Jaffer Sadiq, along with his close associate, the film director Ameer Sultan, and Irfan, the owner of the Buhari hotel, and others. During the raid, they seized documents indicating transactions totaling up to ₹40 crore in illegal currency exchange.

Further investigations at Jaffer Sadiq’s residence uncovered additional documents. Upon examination, it was disclosed that Jaffer Sadiq was disbursing substantial sums of money to various student union officials.

Dinamalar reported that according to officials from the Enforcement Directorate, “Jaffer Sadiq and his gang were specifically targeting migrant students residing and studying in Chennai, engaging in drug sales. There is evidence indicating that administrators of student unions in Tamil Nadu have been acting as intermediaries in these transactions.”

Jaffer Sadiq, a producer with credits on five Tamil films, has been identified as the alleged leader of a cartel involved in trafficking Pseudoephedrine from India to Australia and New Zealand, according to sources. Recently, four individuals from Tamil Nadu were detained in a warehouse in Delhi.

Sadiq, who had ties to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and held a position as the Deputy Organiser for the Chennai West NRI Wing, was permanently expelled from the party on 25 February 2024, after his connection to the drug cartel came to light.

The investigation began when authorities in New Zealand and Australia alerted Indian agencies about significant drug smuggling activities disguised as food products. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was exploring the possibility of drug proceeds being funneled into film production. In February, customs officials in New Zealand and police in Australia provided intelligence about large quantities of pseudoephedrine concealed in desiccated coconut powder being shipped to both countries. Additional information from the US Drug Enforcement Administration implicated Delhi as the source of the shipments.

A collaborative effort between the NCB and the Special Cell of Delhi Police led to the dismantling of an international drug trafficking network, resulting in the seizure of at least 50 kg of Pseudoephedrine in Delhi.

After extensive interrogation, authorities revealed that over the past three years, 45 shipments containing approximately 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine, valued at over ₹2,000 crore in the international market, had been dispatched. According to the NCB, Sadiq is believed to be the mastermind behind the drug trafficking operation spanning India, Australia, and New Zealand. His arrest was announced by the NCB on 9 March 2024.

(with inputs from Dinamalar)

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