Tamil film producer arrested for smuggling drugs worth Rs 2,000 crore along with food items 

NEW DELHI: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested renowned Tamil film producer and former DMK leader Jaffer Sadiq in connection with the smuggling of drugs valued at Rs 2,000 crore. The NCB in a statement on Saturday said that Sadiq is the kingpin in an international drug trafficking racket. On February 15, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested three Tamil Nadu natives from a warehouse in West Delhi with pseudoephedrine needed to manufacture the synthetic drug methamphetamine.

Although the investigation team had identified the mastermind, a Tamil film producer, it had not revealed his name or other details. The officials finally arrested Jaffer Sadiq on Saturday after searching for more than two weeks. Chemicals for drug manufacturing were smuggled abroad under the guise of sending food items like coconut powder and health mix powder. NCB officials also stated that the accused smuggled drugs by hiding them among the food items. The New Zealand Customs and the Australian Police had earlier informed the NCB that chemicals for the manufacture of drugs were being sent to their country in large quantities. Following this, the NCB team launched an investigation along with the New Zealand and Australian investigative agencies.

Later, the US Drug Enforcement Administration forwarded some information to the NCB. The American agency informed the NCB that the chemicals for manufacturing drugs were sent in consignments from Delhi. With this, the NCB and the Special Cell of the Delhi Police started a joint investigation. Authorities found out the drug racket after a four-month investigation. The investigation team found that the racket was operating in Delhi and that they were planning to smuggle chemicals to Australia soon. Following this, officials conducted a raid at the godown in West Delhi. NCB found 50 kg of pseudoephedrine in the investigation and arrested three people. The team was caught while packing pseudoephedrine along with food items.