The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has informed the Madras High Court on 27 February 2025 that drug money was funneled into the bank accounts of film director Ameer and others by Jaffer Sadiq, who is accused of being involved in illegal money transfers.
The ED made this claim in its response to the bail petition filed by Jaffer Sadiq, who has been under investigation for alleged financial crimes linked to drug trafficking. According to the agency, Sadiq deposited funds obtained from drug sales into multiple bank accounts, including that of Ameer.
#Breaking || "அமீர் வங்கி கணக்கில் பணத்தை செலுத்திய ஜாபர் சாதிக்"
"போதைப்பொருள் விற்பனை மூலம் சம்பாதித்த பணத்தை இயக்குனர் அமீர் உள்ளிட்டோரின் வங்கிக் கணக்குகளில் ஜாபர் சாதிக் செலுத்தியுள்ளார்"
சென்னை உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தில் அமலாக்கத்துறை தகவல்#Jabarsathik #ameer #chennai pic.twitter.com/qJJBB9b8ru
— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) February 27, 2025
Ameer has been named as the 12th accused in the ED’s chargesheet. Ameer had tried to wash his hands off of Sadiq by claiming that he was unaware of Sadiq’s “other face” and also stated that the shooting of the film Iraivan Miga Periyavan was halted abruptly following the news of the ₹2000 crore drug bust. However, 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.
In November 2024, the ED revealed that Jaffer Sadiq, a former DMK functionary under investigation for running international drug trafficking ring, used black money to finance movies made by Dravidianist filmmaker Ameer Sultan.
The ED also filed charges against 12 individuals and eight companies in a money laundering case linked to Jaffer Sadiq. The charges, filed in a CBI court in Chennai, name Sadiq’s brother, wife, business associate, and Dravidianist actor-director Ameer Sulthan, among others. The accused allegedly laundered drug proceeds from pseudoephedrine exports to Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand through real estate, film production, hospitality, and logistics businesses.
The case stems from three major drug seizures: 50 kg of pseudoephedrine in Delhi (2024), 39 kg of ketamine in Mumbai (2018), and 50 kg of pseudoephedrine in Chennai (2015). Drugs were smuggled disguised as food products and bangles. Over ₹30 crore in cash deposits were found in various entities linked to Sadiq. The ED has attached assets worth ₹55.3 crore, including properties owned by Sadiq, his wife, and associates.
Ameer Sulthan allegedly benefited from Sadiq’s laundered funds, investing them in films under JSM Pictures and co-owning a business with Sadiq. The court took cognizance of the prosecution complaint on 18 October 2024, as investigations continue.
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.
Director Ameer Sulthan’s close ties with drug kingpin Jaffer Sadiq have come under scrutiny. At the 2022 launch of Iraivan Miga Periyavan, Ameer called Sadiq a “distant relative” and praised his business ventures. They co-founded 4AM Coffee and Law Cafe, with Ameer also serving as a director in Sadiq’s Zuko Overseas Pvt Ltd. Sadiq produced Ameer’s films under JSM Pictures, and DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s wife attended Mangai’s music launch. Ameer also inaugurated Sadiq’s Saleem Bhai Biriyani. Their political connections, including meetings with MK Stalin, raise questions about Ameer’s financial sources and his deep ties to the DMK-linked businessman.
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