News Tamil Nadu

ED Charges 12 Individuals & 8 Companies In Money Laundering Case Involving Former DMK Member & Intl Druglord Jaffer Sadiq And His Buddy Actor-Director Ameer Sulthan

November 15, 2024
The Commune

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has charged 12 individuals and eight companies in a money laundering investigation related to Jaffer Sadiq, an expelled DMK member and international drug kingpin. The charges were filed in a CBI court in Chennai.

Among those named are Sadiq’s brother, Mohammed Saleem; his wife, Ameena Banu; business associate Mydeen Gani; and his bestie Dravidianist actor-director Ameer Sulthan. The companies involved are linked to Sadiq and are accused of being used to launder funds generated from the illegal export of drugs, including pseudoephedrine, to Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand.

In a statement on 13 November 2024, the ED announced that, “ED, Chennai has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) on 10/09/2024 under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002 before the Hon’ble XIII Additional CBI Court, Chennai in the case of Jaffer Sadiq and others. A total of 20 persons have been arraigned as accused in the said PC. The Hon’ble Court has taken cognizance of the PC on 18/10/2024.”

The ED’s investigation, initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), was triggered by three key drug seizures: 50 kg of pseudoephedrine by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Delhi on February 2024, 39 kg of ketamine by Mumbai Customs on October 2018, and another 50 kg of pseudoephedrine by Chennai Customs in August 2015. These drugs were exported under the guise of health-mix powder, desiccated coconut, food products, and even bangles.

Sadiq and his associates are accused of laundering proceeds from these illegal drug operations by investing in legitimate sectors such as real estate, film production, hospitality, and logistics. According to the ED, more than ₹30 crore in cash deposits were found across various entities controlled by Sadiq and his associates. The laundered money was funneled through a network of bank accounts controlled by Sadiq and his family, enabling the purchase of assets in their names and those of their associates, including “benamis.”

The ED has attached assets worth ₹55.3 crore, including properties linked to Sadiq, his wife, and other associates. Ameer Sulthan, the Dravidianist film director, is accused of benefiting from Sadiq’s illicit activities by investing the laundered funds into movies produced under his banner, JSM Pictures. Ameer was also a business partner of Sadiq in a firm, according to ED sources.

Who Is Jaffer Sadiq?

Sadiq, a producer of five Tamil films, was the leader of a cartel responsible for shipping Pseudoephedrine from India to Australia and New Zealand, as per the sources. Four other individuals from Tamil Nadu were apprehended in a Delhi warehouse.

Sadiq, who was affiliated with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and serving as the Deputy Organiser for the Chennai West NRI Wing, was permanently expelled from the party on 25 February 2024 following the revelation of his involvement with the drug cartel. The case unraveled when authorities from New Zealand and Australia alerted Indian agencies about substantial drug smuggling in their countries, disguised as food products. The NCB was probing the possibility of drug money being used to fund films.

In February, New Zealand customs and Australian police provided information about large amounts of pseudoephedrine, hidden in desiccated coconut powder, being shipped to both countries. Additional information from the US Drug Enforcement Administration pointed to Delhi as the source of the consignment.

An international drug trafficking network has been broken up by a combined operation from the NCB and the Special Cell of Delhi Police, resulting in the seizure of at least 50 kg of Pseudoephedrine in Delhi.

Following extensive questioning, officials disclosed that over the past three years, 45 shipments containing roughly 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine, worth over ₹2,000 crore in the international market, had been dispatched.

On 9 March 2024, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) announced the arrest of Jaffer Sadiq, the mastermind behind the India-Australia-New Zealand drug trafficking network. According to the NCB, Sadiq is reportedly the mastermind behind the drug trafficking ring spanning India, Australia, and New Zealand. Sadiq, who has five film productions to his credit, allegedly operated a cartel that transported pseudoephedrine from India to Australia and New Zealand. Four individuals from Tamil Nadu were apprehended in a Delhi warehouse two weeks prior.

Ameer Sultan – Jaffer Saadiq Links 

During launch function of his film “Iraivan Miga Periyavan” in February 2022, Ameer is seen saying Jaffer Sadiq is a distant relative of his. He also mentions that Sadiq had been requesting Ameer to direct a film under his banner for 5 years. Questions arise over Ameer’s naivety when it comes to understanding his own relative. 

Another video surfaced on social media platform X where Ameer is seen wishing all success to Jaffer Sadiq. He says, “I have been closely watching his meteoric rise in all businesses he has begun. I pray he achieves success with this film (production business) Iraivan Miga Periyavan too.”

It is noteworthy that he addresses Sadiq as “thambi” and Sadiq addresses Ameer as “Anna”.

Director Ameer and Jaffer Sadiq launched a coffee shop named 4AMCoffee and Kitchen under the Mahyan Pvt Ltd incorporation at ECR near Chennai. The managing director of this organisation, Abdul Basith, is also a director of Zuko Overseas Pvt Ltd along with Jaffer Sadiq. Interestingly, Ameer Sulthan aka director Ameer is also a director of Zuko Overseas Pvt Ltd. 

For the launch of the coffee shop, director Vetrimaran and actor Soori were present. Another coffee shop named Law Cafe was opened at Radhakrishnan Salai under the Mahyan Group of Companies banner run by Ameer and Sadiq.

Ameer, Vetrimaran, and Jaffer Sadiq have been photographed frequently establishing the closeness of directors in the Tamil film industry with so-called producers.

Some of the films that Jaffer Sadiq has produced include Ameer’s Iraivan Miga Periyavan, Mangai, and Indira. These films were produced under the JSM Pictures banner. Interestingly, Sadiq’s X handle’s cover pic has 4 posters – the three mentioned above and a film named Maayavalai which is produced by Ameer’s own production house and co-produced by Vetrimaran’s Grass Root Film along with Jaffer Sadiq.

It is noteworthy that DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s wife Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi was the chief guest at the launch of a single from the film Mangai.

Saleem Bhai Biriyani chain which is apparently owned by Jaffer Sadiq himself and was inaugurated by Ameer. As he interacts with the press and news channels, Ameer discloses that Saleem Bhai Biriyani shop is one of Sadiq’s ventures. The both together have met MK Stalin and Kanimozhi as well. This establishes their thick friendship more than ever.

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