Luxury Vehicle Smuggling Bust: Kerala Celebrities Under Scrutiny

The Enforcement Directorate raided properties across Kerala and Tamil Nadu linked to actors and other individuals involved in an alleged luxury vehicle smuggling case. The investigation highlights a syndicate using forged documents to import cars illegally, with connections to cross-border unauthorized transactions.

Kochi: In a high-profile crackdown, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on premises linked to actors Prithviraj Sukumaran, Dulquer Salmaan, and Amit Chakkalakal. The searches, spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu, are part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged luxury car smuggling syndicate operating from Bhutan to India, sources revealed.

The operation, targeting a total of 17 locations, included auto workshops and traders in various cities such as Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Coimbatore. Conducted under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), it was prompted by suspicions of unauthorized foreign exchange dealings and illegal vehicle imports.

Authorities suspect a Coimbatore-based network utilized forged documents to facilitate these vehicle imports, later selling them to high-net worth individuals, including film actors. Dulquer Salmaan has sought provisional release of his seized vehicle, citing a legal misunderstanding over its registration.

(With inputs from agencies.)