KUALA LUMPUR: Indian authorities have apprehended an alleged drug kingpin believed to have extensive networks spanning across Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand.
News portal ETV Bharat reported that Jaffer Sadiq Abdul Rahman was detained by India's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in New Delhi.
It said Jaffer's name first surfaced in 2019 after Mumbai Customs intercepted a shipment of ketamine destined for Malaysia, leading to suspicions of his involvement in narcotics trafficking.
NCB deputy director-general Gyaneshwar Singh said Jaffer, allegedly associated with prominent figures in the movie industry, admitted to financing the latest Tamil film, Mangai, with proceeds from drug-related activities.
He said Jaffer's arrest was linked to the seizure of 50kg of pseudoephedrine, a chemical commonly used in the production of methamphetamine.
He added that the agency was investigating potential ties Jaffer may have had with the Bollywood scene.
Gyaneshwar said Jaffer had also invested in real estate and built a hotel in Chennai using drug money.
