Operation Numkhor: Dulquer Salmaan’s two vehicles in custody, seized 11 from Kozhikode

KOCHI: Two vehicles of actor Dulquer Salmaan were seized in the raids conducted by the customs based on the information of intelligence that luxurious cars were brought to India from Bhutan after evading tax. 11 vehicles were also seized from Kozhikode and Malappuram. In addition to the seized cars, summons were issued to Dulquer asking him to produce more vehicles if there are any.

11 vehicles were taken into custody from seven locations in Malappuram and Kozhikode. The seized vehicles will be brought to the customs office of Karipur Airport. The raids were conducted in four districts in the state as part of Operation Numkhor. The customs commissioner will meet the media in the evening to brief the incident.

The raids were conducted following the findings that around 150 vehicles, abandoned by the Bhutanese army and falling under the vintage category, were illegally smuggled to India. The investigating agencies had also received information that around 20 of these vehicles had reached Kerala. Based on intelligence report, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had earlier conducted an investigation in this regard. The vehicles smuggled were Land Cruiser and Land Rover. A racket consisting of officials and agents is operating to smuggle and register the vehicles.

Following information from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, the Motor Vehicles Department had also started an investigation into the incident. There were earlier reports that some who bought the Bhutan vehicles have been identified. This gang makes money by buying vehicles put up for auction at a low price and sells 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 for Rs 3 lakh sold for Rs 30 lakh.