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Customs raid Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj’s homes over alleged illegal import of luxury vehicles
According to customs officials, pre-owned SUVs from Bhutan were allegedly smuggled into India without paying taxes and sold to businessmen and film industry figures in Kerala.

The Kochi residences of actors Prithviraj Sukumaran and Dulquer Salmaan were searched by the Customs and Central Excise Department as part of Operation Numkhor. The investigation, which focuses on allegations of SUVs being smuggled into Kerala from Bhutan, was not limited to the actors alone. Several industrialists and used car dealerships across the state were also raided in connection with the suspected import of premium vehicles.
According to customs officials, pre-owned SUVs from Bhutan were allegedly smuggled into India without paying taxes and sold to businessmen and film industry figures in Kerala. Searches are currently underway at around two dozen locations across the state.
On the alleged smuggling operation, sources told The Indian Express, “Vehicles are brought to border states, either by road or concealed in containers. With forged documents, these expensive SUVs are then registered in Himachal Pradesh before being sold in Kerala. We have found vehicles bearing the registrations of Karnataka and Maharashtra, apart from Himachal Pradesh. The end users, mainly celebrities who are interested in such vehicles, may not be directly part of the racket, which comprises dealers of used vehicles as well as agents and middlemen,” the sources said.
They further said, “These used vehicles, bought at throwaway prices, are given a makeover in India, before being resold at premium prices. During the raids so far, we have even come across 1991-made SUVs smuggled from Bhutan. However, we are mainly looking at new vehicles which have been brought to Kerala within the last two years.”
Prithviraj and Dulquer have not yet addressed the customs raids on their residences.
Dulquer Salmaan is currently basking in the blockbuster success of Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra, a superhero origin film in which he also made a cameo appearance. He will be seen next in I Am Game. Prithviraj Sukumaran last directed the big-budget political drama Empuraan, which went on to break several box office records. He will next be seen in the rural actioner Vilayath Buddha.


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