The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged on Saturday that over Rs 40 crore, supposedly earned from drug trafficking, was "injected" by now-dismissed DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq and affiliated entities into sectors such as film production, hospitality, and real estate. The ED made these assertions in an official statement issued following its raids in Chennai, Madurai, and Tiruchirapalli on April 9.


Last month, Sadiq (36) was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for his purported involvement in smuggling of approximately 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine valued at over Rs 2,000 crore. In February, he was expelled by the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu after the NCB referenced his name and purported connections to the drugs network.




On the raids, according to the Enforcement Directorate, "ED, Chennai has conducted search operations on 9/4/2024, under the PMLA, 2002 at various locations in Chennai, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli at the residences and businesses premises belonging to AR Jaffer Sadiq and others. During the search operations, various incriminating documents and details of properties were recovered and seized."



 









 

ALSO READ: How India And Other Developing Nations Are Bridging Divides As Rules-Based Order Is Being Looked At Critically


"More than Rs 6 crore direct cash payments and more than Rs 12 crore cash was routed and layered for movie production. More than Rs 21 crore cash deposits were observed in the bank accounts of entities controlled by Jaffer Sadiq," the ED claimed, as per report on PTI.


The ED stated that a "significant" amount of cash was also used to purchase immovable assets.


"More than Rs 40 crore cash application have been found," the ED said.














The agency stated that its investigation is ongoing, with further analysis being carried out to uncover additional insights into the "intricate web of illicit financial activities."