Tamil Nadu Drug Bust: Who Is Producer And Expelled DMK Leader Jaffer Sadiq?

After the DMK expelled Tamil film producer and party functionary A Jaffer Sadiq over allegations of involvement in a drug case, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi on Tuesday suspended A Mohamed Saleem, Sadiq's relative and the deputy secretary of its Central Chennai zone of the party.

Saleem, said to be associated with A Jaffer Sadiq, is suspected to have involvement in a significant drug case under investigation by the Narcotics Control Bureau. Sadiq is believed to be the alleged 'mastermind', according to a report in The New Indian Express. Currently, both Saleem, Sadiq, and several other suspects in the case are reportedly on the run.

The BJP under the leadership of state president K Annamalai has been targeting the DMK over its link wth Sadiq. Lashing out at the ruling dispensation, he said Tamil Nadu has truly become the drug capital of India, and that Chief Minister "Thiru @mkstalin should hang his head in shame for transforming this state into a haven for drug traffickers." "International druglord & a DMK functionary Jaffar Sadiq is on the run; NCB is raiding DMK functionaries' establishments, Rs 1,200 crore worth enoute to TN caught off the coast of Gujarat, and today 30 Kgs of methamphetamine was caught in transit in Madurai by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence," he said in a post on 'X'.

"While the widespread network of Jaffar Sadiq's is being exposed, Thiru @mkstalin remains tight-lipped, leaving one to wonder if he would wake up & act or employ his cronies to divert people's attention to insignificant issues," Annamalai further said in the post.

So, who is A Jaffer Sadiq?

Jaffer Sadiq is a film producer who has worked on the film 'Mangai' under the banner of JSM Pictures. As per the reports, tThe song of the film was released by Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi, wife of the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Special Act Implementation Department of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Also, it is claimed that Sadiq and actor/director Ameer met with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on December 17, 2023. They contributed Rs 10 lakh to the Chief Minister's relief fund in the wake of the Michaung cyclone. Also, Sadiq donated another two lakhs to Udhayanidhi Stalin for the CM Relief Fund.

In his biography on X, Sadiq had mentioned his affiliation with the DMK NRI Wing and was frequently seen with several politicians associated with the DMK. His pictures were shared on social media by K Annamalai.

The DMK has suspended Sadiq. He had joined the party two-and-a-half years ago on the recommendation of a senior leader from the Chennai West district unit, The Indian Express reported citing a DMK functionary. "Since it is for drug smuggling charges, we did not wait for action. Sadiq got a key responsibility in the party only last June. Reports say that he was allegedly doing illegal activities even before he joined the DMK. There was nothing more to do on our part now other than expelling him," the daily quoted the party leader as saying.

Tamil Filmmaker Ameer's Reaction

Director Ameer Sultan, who has been busy with his upcoming film 'Iraivan Miga Periyavan', has voiced his dismay. Ameer and producer AR Jaffer Sadiq had joined forces for this project. In light of the news surrounding Jaffer's purported involvement in the drug case, Ameer has issued a statement.

He said, "The media knows very well that I am always against the principle of making compromises with actors and producers to earn a lot of money. I would like to state that I will not continue to work with anyone involved in illegal activities."

The 'Paruthiveeran' director said, "However if there is any truth in the allegations in the news, he should be condemned and punished."

Meanwhile, NCB has frozen the financial transactions of DMK leader and Tamil film producer Jaffer Sadiq from eight banks.

On March 1, Rs 180 crore worth narcotic drug methamphetamine meant to be transported to Sri Lanka was recovered from a rail passenger in Madurai and a dumpyard in Chennai by the sleuths of the DRI, who also detained the man and his wife in connection with the seizure.