ED Raids Multiple Locations in Tamil Nadu in Money Laundering Probe

On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in several cities across Tamil Nadu as part of a money laundering investigation linked to drug trafficking involving former DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq and others, officials revealed.

Approximately 25 premises in Chennai, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli are currently under scrutiny by ED officials, accompanied by central paramilitary forces, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The raids encompass the residences of Mr. Sadiq, a Tamil film producer, film director Ameer, and others associated with the case.

Mr. Sadiq, aged 36, was apprehended by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) the previous month for his alleged role in a pseudoephedrine smuggling operation valued at over ₹2,000 crore.

Taking cues from the NCB case and other FIRs, the ED initiated a money laundering inquiry against Sadiq and his accomplices.

The NCB has indicated Mr. Sadiq’s ties to Tamil and Hindi film financiers, as well as potential instances of “high-profile” involvement and political funding.

Following his alleged connections to the drug network highlighted by the NCB, Mr. Sadiq was ousted from the ruling DMK in February.