Smuggling of Bhutanese vehicles: Registration numbers of vehicles also fake; no Indian registration for some

KOCHI: The Customs team investigating the smuggling of Bhutanese vehicles has found that unregistered vehicles are plying on Indian roads with fake number plates. The Customs Preventive Team had seized 40 Bhutanese vehicles. The fake registration numbers were noticed during their inspection.

220 Bhutanese vehicles have been found in Kerala. The investigation team says that many prominent people may have taken the illegally brought vehicles to other states and secret centres. If a vehicle with a registration from state A is brought to state B, the tax of state B must be paid after a month. After a month, the registration of state B must also be taken. However, the vehicles with fake number plates are roaming without following any of this.

Insurance will not be available if such vehicles get into an accident. Indian Customs' "Operation Numkhor" had found that forged certificates bearing the counterfeit seals of the Indian Army's 9 Field Ordnance Depot (9 OFOD) in Himachal Pradesh were used to impress buyers. Vehicle buyers naturally don't inquire further about the first owner, as the Army is shown as the first owner in the documents.