Probe into Sadiq’s drug racket reaches Ameer’s doorstep

CHENNAI: After remaining silent for weeks, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which is probing the international drug trafficking network allegedly headed by film producer and expelled DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq, summoned noted filmmaker Ameer Sultan for questioning.

The central agency has also summoned Sadiq’s business associates Abdul Fazid Buhari and Syed Ibrahim.

All three of them were asked to appear at the NCB Delhi office on April 2, sources said. According to official sources, Ameer and Sadiq are business partners. Ameer is also the director of a yet-to-be-released movie that was produced by Sadiq. Soon after Sadiq’s alleged links with international drug cartel came to light, there were speculations that several noted personalities from Tamil cinema would be on the dock. After his name also did the rounds, Ameer issued several statements distancing himself from Sadiq’s alleged criminal activities. Abdul Fazid Buhari also said to be a business partner in Sadiq’s other overt ventures.

According to NCB, Jaffer Sadiq, a film producer and also an office-bearer of the ruling DMK’s NRI wing before being expelled, is the kingpin behind the network that smuggled narcotics worth Rs 2,000 crore to countries including Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia in the last three years. The gang mixed the drugs with multi-grain mix and grated coconut to conceal it while exporting.

After remaining absconding for nearly three weeks, Sadiq was finally nabbed by the New Delhi unit of the agency on March 9. Three of his associates were arrested in February. Two weeks ago, the NCB arrested Sadha alias Sadhanadan of Chennai, who was allegedly taking care of stocking, logistics and packing of suspected narcotics substance for Sadiq.