NCB arrests Tamil film producer Jaffer Sadiq in drug trafficking case

The film producer was identified as Jaffer Sadiq.

NCB said it is believed that Sadiq was operating a drug syndicate which sent 45 consignments over the past three years to various countries, containing approximately 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine, reported India Today.

NCB claimed that Sadiq had earned a huge amount of money from illicit drug trafficking operations and invested the same in businesses like film, construction, and hospitality, among others.

Confirming Sadiq's arrest, NCB deputy director general (operations) Gyaneshwar Singh told Hindustan Times: "He is the kingpin of the India-Australia-New Zealand drug trafficking network, which we were probing. We will share details in the afternoon."

Another NCB officer told the newspaper: "We are probing if drug money was used in his production company. It looks like his production company was a front to launder money. He was on the run for the past two weeks."

According to reports, he produced and co-produced four movies.

Jaffer Sadiq's political link

Jaffer Sadiq joined politics in 2010.

He was serving as the Chennai West deputy organiser of the  Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ( DMK)'s NRI wing.

The party removed him recently over his alleged involvement in drug smuggling.

“Since reports said drug smuggling charges, we did not wait for action,” a senior DMK leader told Hindustan Times, requesting anonymity.