The extensive investigation into the alleged smuggling of high-end pre-owned vehicles, dubbed “Operation Numkhor,” is set to expand its reach into Bhutan. This expansion will commence once the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate in Kochi finalizes the documentation for all 43 vehicles already seized in connection with the operation.
These vehicles were reportedly smuggled into Kerala from Bhutan by an alleged syndicate based in Coimbatore, exploiting the vulnerable Indo-Bhutan border. Bhutanese authorities have already shown keen interest in collaborating on the investigation. Separately, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has initiated its own inquiry, gathering information from various individuals, including actor-producer Dulquer Salmaan, who had three of his vehicles confiscated during the crackdown.
So far, Customs has released 37 of the 43 impounded vehicles to their rightful registered owners. This was done under Section 110 of the Customs Act, requiring owners to provide a bond equal to the vehicle’s estimated value and a bank guarantee for 20% of that bond. Two additional vehicles are also slated for release upon fulfilling these conditions. Notably, a Land Rover belonging to Mr. Salmaan has been returned, though one of his other vehicles remains with Customs.
The remaining four vehicles await release, contingent on their owners submitting a formal request and adhering to specific terms. These conditions include a strict prohibition against tampering with the vehicles, transporting them outside the state, or transferring ownership. Furthermore, the vehicles must be made available for any investigative purposes upon request from Customs.
The ED’s Kochi Zonal Office has successfully linked the alleged smuggling ring to a sophisticated network operating out of Coimbatore. Key individuals identified by the agency include Shine Motors and its partners, Sathik Basha and Imran Khan. It is alleged that they acquired pre-owned vehicles from Bhutan by presenting falsified NoCs and processed payments through unofficial channels. The partners reportedly confessed to obtaining approximately 16 vehicles with the assistance of a Bhutanese go-between, Sha Kinley, a former Army officer.
The ED’s investigation reveals a detailed modus operandi: vehicles were driven to the Indo-Bhutan border at Jaigaon, then loaded onto car carriers for illicit transport through Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, and Chennai to Coimbatore. This entire process bypassed crucial Customs clearance and avoided import duty payments. Once in Coimbatore, the vehicles were dismantled and their parts sold across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and other states, frequently via online marketplaces such as OLX. Payments for these transactions were often made in cash or deposited into personal bank accounts.
Significantly, neither Shine Motors nor its associated partners held the necessary import-export codes or kept statutory invoices for their operations, highlighting the illicit nature of their trade.