The recent crackdown on the rampant drug trade and the arrests of Muslim youth in Ramanathapuram by law enforcement agencies point to an alarming trend—where organised criminal networks linked to their nefarious designs are becoming a subject of discourse in the state. Notably, the involvement of Muslim youths in this drug business that is has come under the scanner, with police reports revealing a disturbing pattern of their dominance in drug-related crimes.
Despite these alarming revelations, a local Moulvi has chosen to play the victimhood narrative, alleging that Muslim youth are being targeted, while remaining silent on the big Muslim handlers who operate as key players in this illegal trade.
Ramanathapuram: A Hotbed for Drug Trafficking
The coastal regions of Ramanathapuram district have emerged as a crucial transit point for narcotics, particularly Methamphetamine, Ganja, and Heroin. Over the past few months, law enforcement authorities have made multiple arrests in areas such as Keezhakarai, Devipattinam, Konnikarai, and Thondi, with the majority of those apprehended being from the Muslim community.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard and local police, has foiled numerous drug smuggling attempts to Sri Lanka, with boats used as primary means for trafficking. Seizures worth crores, including Methamphetamine, cash, and mobile devices, have been made in these operations.
Recent Drug Crackdown Incidents in Tamil Nadu
On October 24, 2024, Dinamalar reported the arrest of three Muslim youths, Asik (20), Sahul Hameed (20), and Burhan Ali (22) from Thondi, Ramanathapuram district, for possession of ganja. The arrests followed information received by the Thondi police.
On October 25, Dinamalar reported the arrest of Mohammed Haris (30) and Jegadeesan (29) by Konnikarai police for selling methamphetamine near a corporation dump yard. Police seized 100g of methamphetamine from the accused and an additional 200g, ₹45,000, and six mobile phones from Mohammed Haris’s residence.
On November 25, Konnikarai police arrested two Muslim youths, Habib Mohammed (19) and Hameed Mohammed (20) from Ramanathapuram town, for selling methamphetamine near a liquor shop in Abdul Kalam Nagar, Sakkaraikottai. Police seized 13kg of methamphetamine, two cell phones, and ₹20,000 in cash.
On December 4, Keezhakarai police arrested Akhil Ali (27), Mohammed Nabil (23), and Jayasurya (22) for attempting to sell methamphetamine and ganja near Periya Kadu Othapannai beach, Keezhakarai. Police seized 72g of ganja, 12g of methamphetamine, and ₹150,000 in cash.
On December 9, Malai Malar reported the arrest of three Muslim youths, Jainulabidin, Syed Mohammed, and Sadam Hussain, by Keezhakarai police for smuggling methamphetamine from Ramanathapuram to Keezhakarai. Police seized 4g of high-grade methamphetamine.
The cultural capital of our country has been transformed into a drug capital under the DMK Govt.
DMK functionary & International Drug Peddler Jaffar Sadiq & his brothers are on the run to escape arrest for smuggling over ₹2000 crore worth of synthetic drugs.
Yesterday, off… pic.twitter.com/Qw7OskHajp
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 29, 2024
Political Fallout: BJP’s Allegations Against DMK Links to Drug Mafia
Amidst the growing concern over drug-related crimes, Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai has demanded an explanation from the state’s School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi regarding an alleged link between drug kingpin Jaffer Sadiq and a contractor of the Tamil Nadu Textbook Corporation.
TN CM Thiru @mkstalin has been tight-lipped ever since the involvement of DMK functionary & International drug lord Jaffar Sadiq made the news.
After Jaffar Sadiq’s arrest by the NCB & his nexus is being investigated, Thiru @mkstalin has sent a legal notice to me asking us to… pic.twitter.com/3tCk0yHj5A
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 14, 2024
Annamalai exposed a document revealing that Sri Appu Direct had been awarded a tender by TNTAESC for supplying geometry boxes in 2023-24, during which Sadiq, a DMK NRI wing functionary, allegedly used the state textbook corporation for money laundering.
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 claimed, “It is a deliberate attempt to launder money obtained through drug trafficking.” He asserted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation has uncovered a timeline of events, with Jaffer and his brother Saleem facing Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases, and film director Amir, among others, being charge-sheeted. Jaffer was arrested in March 2024 following the exposure of an international drug cartel and the seizure of 50kg of pseudoephedrine, used to manufacture narcotic drugs, along with three accomplices.
Moulvi’s Concern: Deflecting Blame, Ignoring the Root Cause
Amid the rising arrests of Muslim youths, Maulavi Hafiz Mohammed Rafiq Misbahi, a Wahhabi cleric, has raised alarm over the alleged “targeting” of Muslim individuals in these cases.
He claimed that drug cartels are specifically aiming to mislead Muslim youth, making them vulnerable to reckless behaviour and psychiatric ailments. Instead of acknowledging the deep-rooted involvement of Muslims in the drug trade, the Moulvi has attempted to deflect attention by portraying the community as victims.
Critics argue that such statements only serve to reinforce the undeniable role of Muslim handlers who orchestrate the trade and use young recruits as pawns. While the Moulvi has urged Jamaat leaders to conduct awareness campaigns, he has conspicuously remained silent on taking action against the actual masterminds who continue to pose a serious threat to society.
