KOCHI:Acting on specific intelligence input that high value second-hand cars are being smuggled into the country through the Indo-Bhutan border, customs officials on Tuesday raided around 35 locations in the state, including the Kochi residences of film stars Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
A total of 36 vehicles have been seized from across the state in the nationwide investigation, codenamed Operation ‘Numkhor’ (Bhutanese for ‘vehicle’), Customs preventive commissioner T Tiju said.
The raids were conducted by the customs (preventive) commissionerate, Kochi, with the assistance of transport commissionerate of Kerala, ATS, and the state police, he said.
“We launched this operation after a five-to-six-month investigation revealed that a specific gang was smuggling luxury second-hand cars through the Indo-Bhutan border. Intelligence inputs suggested that as many as 150–200 such vehicles were already plying in Kerala. So far, we have seized 36, ” he said. According to sources, two vehicles belonging to Dulquer were seized as part of the operation.
Owners to be summoned to produce valid documents
Indian law does not permit import of second-hand vehicles, except under specific provisions such as transfer of residence, which requires payment of duties amounting to 160%. “In this case, the vehicles were brought in completely illegally,” Tiju said.
“The gang had used forged documents bearing the names of the Indian Army, the Indian and American embassies, along with fake seals and insignias,” Tiju said.
“There was also intelligence alert that gold and drugs were being transported along with these vehicles, raising concerns of both national and economic security. In addition, serious violations of GST, income tax, and enforcement regulations were found in connection with these transactions.
More details will emerge only after a thorough investigation,” he added. The officials conducted raids in residences and luxury car showrooms in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Adimali, and Kuttipuram.
“As part of the operation, a Defender and a Land Cruiser belonging to Dulquer were seized. However, one of the vehicles was not taken into custody as it was deemed unfit for the road. Similarly, a Land Cruiser and a Lexus were seized from Amit Chakkalackal’s residence. No vehicles were seized from Prithviraj’s residence,” said a source with Customs.
These luxury cars had either been imported illegally and registered under fake addresses across India or brought in from Bhutan and fraudulently registered as old vehicles to evade tax, said the official.
“We will be issuing summons to the owners to produce valid documents and record their statements. If they fail to do so, further action, including arrests, will follow,” the official added.