Bhutan vehicle smuggling: Customs cast net to catch middlemen, crucial details obtained

KOCHI: Customs will expand the investigation into middlemen operating in Delhi and Kerala in connection with the Bhutan vehicle smuggling case. As part of this, Customs will question Mahin Ansari, a native of Muvattupuzha, again today. Mahin is the current owner of the Land Cruiser seized from Kundannur.

The Customs Preventive Division had obtained crucial information from Mahin during his interrogation the other day. It was discovered that large rackets were operating in various parts of the country to smuggle vehicles illegally. In the wake of actor Amit Chakalakkal’s revelation, the investigation into the Coimbatore-based middleman group is progressing.

Meanwhile, information was received from Mahin about the middlemen in Delhi. Information will be sought from Mahin, including whether more vehicles were brought to Kerala through the Delhi gang and information about middlemen from the state. It was found that 200 vehicles arrived without tax. Of these, only 39 vehicles were found as part of Operation Numkhor. Work is in progress to find other vehicles with the help of the state police and the Motor Vehicles Department.