The Customs Preventive wing in Kerala carried out statewide raids on Tuesday targeting the residences and premises of high-net-worth individuals, including prominent actors and industrialists, as part of a crackdown on the alleged illegal import of over 100 premium vehicles from Bhutan.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the vehicles are reportedly brought to border states by road or concealed in containers, accompanied by forged documents. They are then registered in states such as Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra before being sold in Kerala. Dealers, agents, and middlemen are said to orchestrate the smuggling operation, while end-users, including celebrities attracted to high-end SUVs, may not be directly involved in the racket.
Investigators noted that these used vehicles, often purchased at low prices, are refurbished locally before being resold at premium rates. During the ongoing raids, authorities have uncovered vehicles dating back to 1991, though the primary focus remains on newer vehicles imported into Kerala within the last two years.
So far, prominent actors Prithviraj and Dulquer have not publicly responded to reports regarding the customs raids at their residences.
The operation underscores the Customs Department’s intensified efforts to crack down on illegal imports and maintain regulatory compliance across high-value automotive imports in the state.
