Luxury Car Smuggling Racket from Bhutan to Kerala Uncovered in 'Operation Numkhor'

Multi-Agency Probe Launched into Cross-Border Car Smuggling

Kochi, India – A large-scale operation, dubbed 'Operation Numkhor' (meaning 'vehicle' in Bhutanese), has uncovered a sophisticated racket involved in smuggling high-value pre-owned vehicles from Bhutan into the Indian state of Kerala. The Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Kochi, spearheading the investigation, has conducted extensive raids across more than 30 locations in Kerala, including the residences of prominent film actors and industrialists. The probe is set to expand into a multi-agency investigation involving the Enforcement Directorate (ED), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), and GST authorities, given the significant implications for national and economic security.

Modus Operandi: Forgery and Tax Evasion

The racket allegedly sourced luxury second-hand vehicles, often former Bhutan Army models such as Land Rovers, Toyota Prados, and Land Cruisers, from auctions in Bhutan at significantly low prices. These vehicles were then illicitly brought into India, circumventing substantial import duties that can be as high as 100% to 160% of the vehicle's value.

The smuggling network employed an elaborate scheme of forgery to register these vehicles in India. Investigators found that forged documents, including names, seals, and insignia belonging to the Indian Army, the Indian and American embassies, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were used to create fraudulent registration papers. Many of these vehicles were initially registered in other Indian states, such as Himachal Pradesh, known for less stringent verification processes, before being moved to Kerala. Customs officials suspect that the Parivahan portal, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways database, may have been compromised, indicating potential collusion with MVD officials.

The vehicles entered India through various methods, including being transported in a completely knocked-down condition, concealed within containers, or driven across the Indo-Bhutan border using permits intended for tourists.

Seizures, Arrests, and High-Profile Connections

As of September 25, 2025, authorities have seized 36 to 38 high-end vehicles suspected to be part of the smuggling operation. Officials estimate that between 150 and 200 such vehicles may have been smuggled into Kerala. Among those whose residences were raided or vehicles seized are Malayalam cinema stars Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, and social media influencer Shilpa Surendran. Customs Commissioner T. Tiju stated that vehicles bought for as little as ₹1 lakh in Bhutan were resold for ₹10 lakh in India, and some purchased for ₹3 lakh were flipped for ₹30 lakh, highlighting the massive profits involved.

The Kerala High Court has urged the ED to investigate the racket, particularly concerning the involvement of influential individuals. Summons are expected to be issued to the custodians of the seized vehicles for further interrogation.

VIN Checks: A Missed Opportunity for Prevention

Officials suggest that a simple verification of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), also known as the chassis number, by the original registration authority could have exposed the racket at its inception. The VIN, a distinctive 17-character alphanumeric code, serves as a unique identifier for a vehicle, revealing its manufacturing origin, ownership history, and legal status. A senior Kerala MVD official, speaking anonymously, stated, 'Had the original registration authority in India verified the chassis number, it would have revealed at once that the vehicle originated in Bhutan and was unlawfully imported or smuggled.'

The ongoing investigation aims to unravel the full extent of the network and address the serious concerns regarding tax evasion, the use of forged government documents, and potential links to other illicit activities such as contraband trafficking and terror funding.