Bought for Rs three lakhs, sold for Rs 30 lakhs; More details behind Bhutan-Kerala luxury car smuggling

KOCHI: As per reports, around 150 vintage model vehicles, abandoned by the Bhutanese army, were illegally smuggled into India. The investigating agencies also received information that around 20 of these smuggled vehicles have reached Kerala. Based on an intelligence report, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had investigated this matter. Luxury vehicles like the Land Cruiser and the Land Rover were often smuggled. The investigation also shed light on the unholy nexus of officials and agents operating together to smuggle and register the vehicles.

This gang makes money by buying vehicles that are put up for auction at a low price and selling them at a high price. It was found that a car bought for Rs 1 lakh was sold for Rs 10 lakh, and a car bought for Rs 3 lakh was sold for Rs 30 lakh. Many of these smuggled vehicles have also reached Kerala in the recent past.

Most of the vehicles will be first registered in Himachal Pradesh with the registration number HP 52. The registration in Himachal Pradesh is done to deceive officials into thinking the vehicles belong to India. The cars were sold in Kerala with the NOC of the registration authority in Himachal Pradesh. Many vehicles brought to Kerala have been converted to KL registration. Those who own Bhutanese vehicles will have to pay import tax and a fine. There will be a separate penalty for changing the appearance of the vehicles.