Smuggling of luxury cars from Bhutan into Kerala likely to face wider probe by Central agencies

Operation Numkhor, spearheaded by the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Kochi, targeting “high-value pre-owned vehicles” suspected to have been smuggled into Kerala by a Coimbatore-based racket from Bhutan, is now poised to attract the attention of more Central agencies, given the broader implications for national and economic security.

Customs authorities are set to share details of all violations with relevant agencies – ED, NIA, MVD, and GST – paving the way for a multi-agency, nationwide investigation, as these vehicles are believed to have been sold in more States.

At a press conference on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) , T. Tiju, Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Kochi, flagged potential GST evasion and the use of these smuggled vehicles for trafficking contraband such as gold and narcotics across borders. He said the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence had already uncovered such instances and registered cases.

“If gold and drugs have been trafficked using these vehicles, then virtually anything could be smuggled in,” Mr. Tiju said.

Possibility of terror funding

He did not fully dismiss the possibility that proceeds from these operations may have been funnelled into terror financing, stating that such a possibility would also be thoroughly investigated.

Notably, the operation was conducted with support from the Anti-Terrorist Squad, apart from the Motor Vehicles department (MVD), and Kerala Police.

The racket is believed to have either transferred funds across borders or dispatched operatives to smuggle vehicles into India. The forgery of names, seals, and insignia belonging to the Indian Army, the Indian and American embassies, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to register these vehicles and deceive buyers into believing that the vehicles belong to these institutions poses serious national security implications as well.

Customs officials have discovered that around 90% of the 150 to 200 vehicles smuggled into Kerala were registered using forged documents, predominantly at Regional Transport Offices in other States. Even the Parivahan portal appears to have been compromised, suggesting a possible collusion between the racket and officials within the MVD, suspect the officials.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday (September 24, 2025), the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Kochi, concentrated on verifying documents and completing formal procedures, including issuing notices to the owners of 36 vehicles suspected to have been smuggled.