Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai has brought forward what he claims to be evidence of Jaffar Sadiq, a former NRI wing functionary of the ruling DMK party, being involved in drug smuggling in the past. Annamalai took to his social media handle to upload images and documents suggesting that Jaffar Sadiq, known for his association with DMK, had faced charges related to drug smuggling back in 2019.
According to Annamalai’s social media post on March 3, 2024, he stated, “DMK functionary Jaffar Sadiq is a notorious criminal, and being an international drug lord is a fact known to everyone now.” The BJP leader claimed that in 2019, Jaffar Sadiq, along with his brother Mohammed Salim and a few others, was apprehended under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) for attempting to smuggle 38.687 Kg of ketamine to Malaysia.
Annamalai alleged that the name “Zuko Overseas” was linked to this case, the same company established by Jaffar Sadiq and a celebrity in 2021. He further accused Jaffar Sadiq of making Tamil Nadu his base after the DMK came to power in May 2021, allegedly colluding with leaders in the DMK to expand their empire.
The BJP Chief challenged the DMK and others who denied any knowledge of Jaffar’s arrest in 2013 for drug trafficking and escaping arrest in 2019 for similar charges. Annamalai demanded answers from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, stating, “Thiru @mkstalin, we demand answers.”
To support his allegations, Annamalai included a document from the Bombay High Court, detailing an Intelligence Officer’s petition challenging the order to grant a passport to Jaffer Sadiq. The case revolves around a consignment of Ketamine intercepted on October 30, 2018, implicating Sadiq and others in illicit trafficking.
In the Bombay High Court’s Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction, Intelligence Officer P.V.N. Suresh Babu from the Special Intelligence Investigation Branch (SIIB) in Mumbai challenged the order issued by the Special Judge, NDPS, Sessions Court, Greater Bombay. The case involved Jaffer Sadiq seeking the return of his passport for international travel between June 20 and June 30, 2022. The Special Judge granted permission with specified conditions.
The Intelligence Officer contends that Jaffer Sadiq, accused of orchestrating the illegal export of 38.687 kg of Ketamine to Malaysia, had been in hiding for over a year before seeking anticipatory bail.
The officer argues that Sadiq’s involvement in serious offenses, unexplained wealth, and past orders under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators Act raise concerns about the potential misuse of his passport. The court order sheds light on Sadiq’s connection with Cube Impex and Hitech Traders, companies allegedly established for illegal drug exports.
The investigation reveals that Jaffer Sadiq, along with his brother Mohamed Saleem, played a significant role in managing an illicit drug business. The officer expresses concern that allowing Sadiq to travel may result in him fleeing the country. The court order also mentions Mohamed Saleem, who oversaw the illegal drug trade alongside Jaffer Sadiq and Abdul Raheem Jinnah. The latter two individuals were pivotal in establishing the Cube Impex company for illegal exports.
The case revolves around the Special Judge’s earlier decision to grant anticipatory bail to Sadiq, imposing certain conditions, including surrendering his passport. The Intelligence Officer challenges this decision, emphasising Sadiq’s alleged role as the mastermind and the incriminating evidence gathered during the ongoing investigation.
The Bombay High Court, in its order on June 22, 2022, supports the Intelligence Officer’s application, setting aside the Special Judge’s order.
DMK functionary Jaffar Sadiq is a notorious criminal and an international drug lord is a fact known to everyone now.
In 2019, Jaffar Sadiq, his brother Mohammed Salim & few others were caught under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) for smuggling… pic.twitter.com/0ygJvSGOSQ
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 3, 2024
Annamalai took to his social media to share images and details, asserting that Jaffer Sadiq had been arrested in 2019 for attempting to smuggle 38.687 kg of Ketamine to Malaysia.
The BJP leader questioned whether the DMK, aware of these accusations, was complicit in harbouring a person with a criminal record. Annamalai emphasised that Sadiq had made Tamil Nadu his base of operations after the DMK came to power in May 2021, collaborating with leaders to expand his alleged empire.
Backing his claims, Annamalai included documents from the Bombay High Court, where an Intelligence Officer petitioned against granting a passport to Jaffer Sadiq. The court order, dated June 22, 2022, supported the Intelligence Officer’s plea, raising concerns over Sadiq’s anticipatory bail and passport retention.
While the DMK expelled Jaffer Sadiq from the party, questions have arisen regarding the inaction against Saleem, Sadiq’s brother, who is also absconding. VCK leader Thirumavalavan’s silence on the matter has drawn criticism, with netizens questioning his stance.
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In another twist to the saga, a senior officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is reportedly under scrutiny for allegedly leaking advance information to Jaffer Sadiq about impending NCB raids. It is revealed that the officer attended a party with Sadiq at the “Secret Story” bar in Nungambakkam in January this year.
Film director Ameer Sultan, a business partner of Jaffer Sadiq, has gone underground after releasing a video claiming innocence. However, evidence suggests close proximity between the two, raising doubts about Ameer Sultan’s involvement.
Political commentator Savukku Shankar, in his online platform savukkuonline.com, uncovered shocking details about Jaffer Sadiq’s alleged control over the meth supply in Chennai. Shankar revealed that Sadiq operated a chain of biryani outlets named “Saleem Bhai Biryani,” which abruptly closed two months ago. The Nungambakkam outlet was reportedly supplying drugs to students from Loyola College.
Annamalai’s expose and subsequent developments have sparked a debate on political accountability and the role of individuals linked to the alleged drug cartel. The situation continues to unfold, raising questions about the nexus between politics, law enforcement, and the illicit drug trade in the region.
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