Kochi: The ED on Wednesday raided premises linked to actors Prithviraj Sukumaran, Dulquer Salmaan, and Amit Chakkalackal and some others across Kerala and in Tamil Nadu as part of an investigation linked to a recent Customs case related tothe alleged smuggling of luxury vehicles from Bhutan to India, official sources said.
The searches by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also covered certain vehicle owners, auto workshops, and traders in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kottayam and Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu). A total of 17 premises are being covered, the sources said.
The raids, spanning Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kottayam, and Coimbatore, also targeted vehicle owners, auto workshops, and dealers allegedly involved in importing high-end cars like Land Cruisers, Defenders, and Maseratis through illegal channels from Bhutan and Nepal.
According to officials, a Coimbatore-based network forged documents purportedly from the Indian Army, US Embassy, and Ministry of External Affairs to fraudulently register vehicles in states such as Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
These cars were then sold at undervalued rates to high-net-worth individuals, including film personalities.
The ED suspects prima facie violations of FEMA Sections 3, 4, and 8, involving illegal foreign exchange transactions and hawala payments.
The case stems from a recent Customs investigation, which also uncovered possible links to gold and drug smuggling.
On September 23, as part of ‘Operation Numkhor’. Customs officials seized 36 luxury vehicles from around 30 locations, including the residences of the three actors.
In a related development, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday allowed Dulquer Salmaan to apply for the provisional release of his seized vehicle.
In his plea, Salmaan claimed he purchased the car in good faith, with documents indicating it was shipped by the International Committee of the Red Cross to New Delhi.
He alleged that Customs officials seized the vehicle without properly reviewing its documentation.
