Sleuths from the Customs Preventive wing carried out coordinated raids across Kerala on Tuesday to track, identify, and seize high-end luxury vehicles illegally brought into India from Bhutan using forged documents bearing Army and US Embassy seals.

Scale of operations and seizures

Searches were conducted at around 30 locations, including the residences of movie stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Dulquer Salmaan, and Amit Chakkalackal. The operation resulted in the seizure of 36 high-end luxury cars, Customs Preventive Commissioner T Tiju told reporters.

He said that the raids, codenamed Operation Numkhor, revealed that many vehicles were also used to smuggle gold and drugs, with cases already lodged.

"If they can smuggle cars, gold and narcotics like this, then they can bring anything else. Therefore, it is a major threat to national and economic security of the country," Tiju emphasised.

The Commissioner added that the initial probe uncovered additional illegalities, including income tax and GST evasion, as well as money laundering. Investigators are also exploring whether funds from such activities were used to finance terrorist operations.

Understanding the modus operandi

The term Numkhor means ‘vehicle’ in Bhutanese. The raids were conducted simultaneously in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, and Malappuram.

Outlining the gang’s method, Tiju said: "The cars were brought into India either in completely knocked-down condition, inside containers, or driven in as tourist vehicles. After entry, they are registered in different parts of the country using carefully forged documents. Significantly, the Indian Army's and foreign embassies', including the US Embassy's, name, seal and insignia are forged to register these vehicles."

He added that this misleads buyers into believing the vehicles belong to the Army or embassies. Further, manipulations have been made—through hacking or insiders—on the Parivahan website to reflect false ownership or usage history. "A vehicle manufactured in 2014 was shown on the Parivahan website as being registered and in use since 2005," he noted.

Many cars were later sold through undocumented transactions, with no money trail. The forged documents also obscure the original ownership of these vehicles.

Investigation and follow-up

The raids were assisted by the Transport Commissionerate of Kerala, ATS, and state police, based on intelligence about high-value second-hand cars being smuggled through the Indo-Bhutan border.

The probe revealed that most vehicles were owned by high-net-worth individuals, including Prithviraj and Dulquer, who "knowingly or unknowingly" purchased such vehicles. "No vehicle of Prithviraj was seized, but two of Dulquer Salmaan have been identified," Tiju said.

Statements of owners will be recorded, and documents examined to determine awareness of illegalities. "Summons will be issued to them to appear before us for recording their statements," the official said.

Vehicles found to be illegally imported will be seized, and owners aware of such illegalities will face action. Tiju estimated that 150–200 such vehicles exist in Kerala alone, with 36 seized so far. Raids will continue until remaining cars are secured.

He warned that these vehicles, not registered in Kerala and running under untraceable names, pose a serious threat. "Such vehicles are there in other states as well and therefore, there was a scope for an all-India operation," he said.