Chennai, Sep 5 (Reporter) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Chennai on Thursday provisionally attached assets worth Rs 55.30 crore belonging to illicit drug cartel key accused and sacked ruling DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq and his associates under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. This included 14 immovable properties, such as the JSM Residency Hotel and a luxurious bungalow, and 7 high-end vehicles like Jaguar and Mercedes, acquired through criminal activities, an ED release said. The action follows an investigation into Jaffer Sadiq Abdul Rehman, a former DMK functionary (also a film financier) and alleged leader of a drug cartel smuggling pseudoephedrine and ketamine to several countries including Australia and New Zealand which were valued at several crores. He was sacked from the DMK soon after his arrest by the NCB officials in Delhi The ED's probe, based on NCB and customs investigations, led to searches at 15 locations in Tamil Nadu. ED investigation revealed that there Jaffer Sadiq in collusion with his brother Mohammed Saleem and others was actively involved in exporting and concealing of pseudoephedrine and other narcotic substances. He has been director/ partner/ prop. of various firms/entities/ companies along with other persons and relatives, which has been used to channelize and layering the proceeds of crime. This entire set up was used to route the Proceeds of Crime (POC) earned from the illicit drug trafficking. Hence, ED, on June 26 arrested Jaffer Sadiq and on August 12 nabbed Mohammed Saleem under PMLA, 2002 for the offence of money laundering. The ED investigation further revealed that Jaffer Sadiq and his associates laundered the POC from their drug operations by investing in various legitimate ventures, including real estate, film production, hospitality, and logistics. The POC were channelled into these investments through a network of bank accounts, including those controlled by Sadiq and his family members. The illicit cash was deposited, layered through financiers, and recorded as unsecured loans in financial statements. The laundered funds were used to acquire both immovable and movable assets in the names of Sadiq, his wife Ameena Banu, Mydeen Gani and others, including benamis like Mohammed Mustafa S and Jamal Mohammed. Further investigation is under progress...////...