The investigation, led by the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate in Kochi, uncovered a racket involving the illegal import of high-end cars, some of which were reportedly used to smuggle gold and drugs. Authorities had earlier seized two Land Rover Defenders and a Nissan Patrol, before reclaiming another vehicle linked to Salmaan.
The ED, on Wednesday (October 8), searched 17 premises across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, including properties linked to actors Prithviraj Sukumaran, Amit Chakkalackal, and Dulquer Salmaan. A location in Chennai associated with Salmaan’s father, superstar Mammootty, was also covered.
According to reports, Salmaan’s statement was recorded at his residence in Kochi during the searches. The action was taken under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), based on information suggesting a syndicate engaged in the illegal import and registration of luxury vehicles from Bhutan and Nepal.
Officials allege that a Coimbatore-based network used forged documents, purportedly from the Indian Army, the US Embassy, and the Ministry of External Affairs, to fraudulently register vehicles in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and other states. These vehicles were then sold to high-net-worth individuals, including film personalities, at undervalued prices.
The ED suspects violations of Sections 3, 4, and 8 of FEMA, involving unauthorised foreign exchange transactions and payments through hawala channels . The agency is expected to soon register a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court on Tuesday allowed Dulquer Salmaan to seek provisional release of his seized vehicle, directing the Customs Department to consider his plea within a week. Salmaan claimed that the vehicle, shipped by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to its regional delegation in New Delhi, had valid ownership and registration documents. He alleged that Customs officials conducted the seizure in a "hasty and arbitrary" manner without reviewing the paperwork.
The customs operation on September 23 covered about 30 locations across Kerala and led to the seizure of 36 luxury cars, marking one of the largest crackdowns on illegal vehicle imports in recent years.
