Investigations are underway into the alleged smuggling of luxury vehicles from Bhutan and tax evasion linked to high-profile buyers, including Malayalam film stars. The Customs Department has carried out surprise inspections at the residences of Dulquer Salmaan – superstar and son of veteran actor Mammootty – Prithviraj Sukumaran, and actor Amit Chakkalakkal.
All searches were conducted as lightning inspections under “Operation Numkoor”. Dulquer has reportedly been served notice to submit complete documentation for his vehicles. Officials have warned that action will follow if discrepancies are found. More stars from the Malayalam film industry are expected to face similar enquiries in the coming days.
#WATCH | Kerala: Customs Department conducts checks at multiple locations in the state, including the residences of actors Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in Kochi. These are related to vehicles brought in from Bhutan. Motor Vehicle Department of Kerala has also reached… pic.twitter.com/7Kast4LpD5
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2025
Operation Numkoor and Seizures
Two luxury vehicles from Dulquer’s residence and eight from Amit’s house were seized. In total, 36 vehicles have been taken into custody. The operation is named “Numkoor”, meaning “vehicle” in the Bhutanese language. According to Customs, the crackdown targets a network accused of smuggling vehicles abandoned by Bhutanese armed forces, illegally transporting them into Bharat, and reselling them.
The vehicles are of the ‘Vintage’ brand, reportedly sold to buyers, including film celebrities, at around ₹25 lakh each. Inspections were also conducted at 35 other locations, including the premises of middlemen who sourced vehicles from Bhutan and those who purchased them from second-hand showrooms.
The raids, conducted on 23 September across Kozhikode, Malappuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Thiruvananthapuram, continued until late evening. Customs officials revealed that 150 to 200 vehicles had been brought into Kerala by a Coimbatore-based group. These vehicles were allegedly registered illegally in Himachal Pradesh before being sold in Kerala.
Embassy Documents and Black Money Trail
The investigation has also uncovered suspected black money transactions, forged documents allegedly involving the Indian Embassy and Military, and tampering with the mParivahan system. Customs officials stated that the collected information would be forwarded to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Reports suggest Dulquer’s Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser have been taken into custody. Prithviraj has been asked to present documents for his Defender. Customs will interrogate the actors and several others in connection with the case.
Vehicles Brought in Parts and Re-Assembled
Officials are also probing a separate modus operandi in which vehicles were purchased cheaply in Bhutan, dismantled, transported as spare parts into Bharat, and reassembled for resale at higher prices. Authorities suspect misuse of provisions that permit Bhutanese nationals to drive their vehicles into Bharat.
Sources indicate that Dulquer’s Defender has been taken to the Customs office. Irregularities were reportedly found in the registration of his Land Cruiser – a 28-year-old vehicle that had been issued a Fitness Certificate valid until 2031, whereas such certificates are usually granted only for five years.
In Amit Chakkalakkal’s case, six out of eight vehicles have reportedly been seized. However, Amit denied this, stating that only one of his vehicles was taken and that it carried all required documents.
Reports also point to GST manipulations and possible money laundering. With this angle, both the GST Department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are likely to join the probe.
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