Chennai: Former Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Jaffer Sadiq was arrested by the sleuths of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the agency informed on Saturday.
According to the NCB, Sadiq is the alleged mastermind behind the India-Australia-New Zealand drug trafficking network currently under investigation.
Sadiq, who is also known for producing five Tamil films, is said to have operated a cartel responsible for smuggling Pseudoephedrine from India to Australia and New Zealand.
Two weeks ago, four persons were arrested at a warehouse in Delhi in connection with this network. The investigation led the NCB to Sadiq.
Sadiq, formerly associated with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), served as the Chennai West Deputy Organiser (NRI Wing) until his permanent dismissal from the party on February 25 due to his alleged ties to the drug cartel.
His connections sparked a political controversy, with opposition parties in Tamil Nadu, including the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), criticizing the DMK.
The case came to light after authorities in New Zealand and Australia alerted Indian agencies to significant drug smuggling disguised as food products.
The NCB is investigating whether proceeds from drug trafficking were used to finance the films.
In February, New Zealand customs authorities and Australian police informed Indian agencies about large quantities of Pseudoephedrine concealed in desiccated coconut powder being shipped to their countries.
Further information from the US Drug Enforcement Administration suggested that the consignments originated from Delhi. A joint operation by the NCB and the Delhi Police’s Special Cell successfully dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate, resulting in the seizure of at least 50 kg of Pseudoephedrine in Delhi.
Following extensive interrogation, officials revealed that over the past three years, 45 consignments containing approximately 3,500 kg of Pseudoephedrine, valued at over Rs 2,000 crore in the international market, had been sent.
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