Operation Numkoor: Kerala Customs seize Dulquer Salmaan’s cars, orders to produce proofs

As part of Operation Numkoor, customs officials in Kerala conducted a major raid to track down a gang that was illegally smuggling and selling over 150 vehicles abandoned by the Bhutanese army into India. As per News 18, while 11 vehicles were taken into custody from 7 locations in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, two cars belonging to actor Dulquer Salmaan were also seized. The Customs Commissioner has announced that he will meet the media in the evening and share the details.

Showrooms and private homes inspected

As part of the raid, 4 showrooms and 3 private houses in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts were inspected. Dulquer Salmaan's cars were seized and he was asked to produce any more vehicles if he had any. Raids were conducted at the homes of industrialists and techies, along with Malayalam film stars. During this inspection, a list and documents of people who illegally smuggled and sold cars from Bhutan were collected.

Seized vehicles re-registered illegally in Kerala

The seized vehicles have been transferred to the customs office at Karipur airport. The vehicles, which include Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, Tata SUVs, and Mahindra-Tata trucks, were abandoned by the Bhutanese army. These were illegally registered in Himachal Pradesh with ‘HP-52’ registration numbers and sold at four times the price. Many of the vehicles brought to Kerala have been re-registered with ‘KL’ numbers.

Film stars’ properties also under scrutiny

It is learnt that the investigation into Operation Numkoor is still ongoing and the Customs will collect relevant documents and evidence and take legal action. Perhaps the raids on the homes of young stars like Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Amit Chakkalakkal have also attracted attention on social media. The industry of these cars, which have been sold there for prices up to Rs 40 lakh, is also being scrutinized for irregularities.