The Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its investigation into an international drug smuggling ring by questioning Salim, the brother of Jaffer Sadiq, for the second consecutive day. Jaffer Sadiq, a former Tamil film producer and expelled DMK member, is suspected of masterminding a narcotics smuggling operation valued at Rs. 2000 crore.Salim underwent a nearly three-hour grilling session on Tuesday, followed by an additional six hours of questioning on Wednesday. This comes after the ED interrogated Amina, Jaffer Sadiqâs wife, on Monday.
Jaffer Sadiq is accused of orchestrating the smuggling of narcotics overseas, disguising them within shipments of multi-grain mix and grated coconut over the past three years. The ED’s investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is based on a case initially registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), focusing on the money laundering aspects of the operation.
Sadiq was apprehended by NCB officials in Delhi on March 9, following a three-week period during which he went underground after his associates were arrested in February. To date, five individuals, including Sadiq and his key associate Sadhanadan, have been arrested in connection with the case.
In early April, ED officials conducted extensive searches across more than 30 locations linked to Jaffer Sadiq in Chennai and other areas as part of their ongoing investigation.