Jaffer Sadiq who smuggled drugs worth Rs 2,000 crore arrested

A film producer has been arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs worth over ₹ 2,000 crore out of the country.

Jaffer Sadiq, a former DMK functionary who has worked in South’s film industry, was arrested following a four-month manhunt, said the Narcotics Control Bureau on Saturday.

The NCB has named Sadiq the “kingpin” of the India-Australia-New Zealand drugs trafficking network. He has smuggled ₹ 2,000-crore drugs to Australia and New Zealand, it said.

“He sent 3,500 kg pseudoephedrine abroad over 45 times,” said a top official.

Sadiq has made four films so far with his last one expected to release this month.

His arrest came a week after officers seized methamphetamine worth ₹ 180 crore from two rail passengers in Madurai and a dump yard in Chennai. The drugs were meant for smuggling to Sri Lanka.

A total of 36 kg was seized from the passenger couple and another 6 kg from Kodungaiyur dump yard in Chennai on February 29, officials said. The couple was detained after the seizure.

Methamphetamine, also known as “ice” or “crystal meth”, is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug that exhibits powerful euphoric effects similar to those of cocaine and has life-threatening consequences, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had said.