The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Saturday said it has arrested Jaffer Sadiq, former DMK functionary and film producer, over alleged involvement in running a Rs 2,000 crore drug trafficking network connecting Australia and New Zealand.
Sadiq allegedly ran the drug ring, which facilitated the trafficking of pseudoephedrine from India to Australia and New Zealand. Pseudoephedrine is controlled substance in India under the NDPS Act, 1985, and a precursor chemical used in manufacturing methamphetamine.
Sadiq's arrest comes two weeks after three people from Tamil Nadu were apprehended at a warehouse in West Delhi's Basai Darapur.
Who is Jaffer Sadiq?
Jaffer Sadiq alias Bezo has produced five Tamil movies and was a former DMK leader. He serves as the Chennai West Deputy Organiser of DMK's NRI Wing. He was expelled by the Tamil Nadu ruling party on February 25 after his links to the drug trafficking group were revealed. NCB has sealed his house in Mylapore on February 29.
NCB arrested Sadiq based on information provided by Australian and New Zealand authorities. Pseudoephedrine were trafficked to the two countries by concealing them in desiccated coconut powder, according to the authorities. The US Drug Enforcement Administration found out the source of the consignments was Delhi.
An NCB teamed up with Delhi Police's Special Cell to launch a probe about more than months ago. They busted the drug trafficking racket on February 15 and around 50 kg pseudoephedrine was seized. It was revealed that the cartel had trafficked 3,500 kg of the drug in 45 consignments via air and sea over the last three years.
The bureau is also investigating if the drug money was used in producing Sadiq's movies.