This startling development followed alerts from New Zealand and Australian authorities about large shipments of drugs, disguised within food products, originating from India. The NCB alleges that he orchestrated an international drug racket responsible for smuggling pseudoephedrine, a precursor in 'meth' production
Coimbatore: A DMK functionary, Jaffer Sadiq, who is also a Tamil film producer, his brother Salim and an upcoming actor Mydeen (Kadavul Migaperiyavan movie) is now at the center of a major narcotics investigation. The NCB alleges that Sadiq orchestrated an international drug racket responsible for smuggling pseudoephedrine, a precursor in methamphetamine production, with operations netting close to ₹2,000 crore over three years. This startling development followed alerts from New Zealand and Australian authorities about large shipments of drugs, disguised within food products, originating from India.
After months of joint surveillance by the Delhi police and the NCB, the syndicate was intercepted in West Delhi. Three individuals have been detained, with significant quantities of drugs seized. Investigations have traced back 45 such consignments over the years, highlighting the extensive reach of the racket.
Methamphetamine, also known as meth or crystal meth, commands a high price worldwide, fetching around ₹1.5 crore per kg in Australia and New Zealand.
Following information from the US Drug Enforcement Administration linking the shipments to Delhi, a collaborative effort between the Delhi police special cell and the NCB was initiated. After four months of rigorous technical and field surveillance, it was discovered that the operatives were back in Delhi attempting to dispatch another consignment to Australia, as stated by Gyaneshwar Singh, Deputy Director General of the NCB.
Surveillance efforts led the authorities to a warehouse in West Delhi’s Basai Darapur, where gang members were apprehended trying to conceal pseudoephedrine in a multigrain food mix for smuggling. Three gang members were arrested, and 50 kg of the drug was confiscated.
Further investigation revealed that the gang, hailing from Tamil Nadu, had dispatched 45 consignments over three years, totaling 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine valued at over ₹2,000 crore in the international market. The alleged mastermind, a Tamil film producer named Jaffer Sadiq, is currently on the run, prompting intensive efforts for his apprehension to trace the source of the pseudoephedrine, according to an official.
The accused film producer, Jaffer Sadiq, known for his upcoming film, 'Mangai' and charitable contributions to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, is reportedly absconding. Kiruthika Udhayanidhi, wife of Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was one of the celebrities who had released the first look poster. His involvement has cast a shadow on his political affiliations, with several DMK leaders being scrutinized for their associations with him. Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has urged the state government to take swift and stern action, emphasizing the gravity of the narcotics problem in Tamil Nadu.
The political implications of this case are significant, as the accused is a noted member of the ruling party's organization. This incident has propelled the issue of drug trafficking to the forefront of public and political discourse in the region, with calls for a comprehensive crackdown on the narcotics trade echoing throughout the state.
The authorities are widening their net, with the NCB coordinating internationally to track down all involved, and the police searching for other suspects linked to the syndicate. This case underscores the challenges in combating organized drug trafficking and its infiltration into various societal sectors.