Operation Numkhor: Kochi Customs seizes 60 luxury SUVs in duty evasion crackdown
Synopsis
What began as a customs crackdown in Kerala has grown into one of India's largest probes into illegal luxury vehicle imports. With 60 high-end SUVs seized — including two fresh Toyota Land Cruisers — and the investigation now crossing into Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Operation Numkhor is exposing an alleged multi-state syndicate using forged RCs and fabricated import records to dodge crores in customs duty.
Key Takeaways
The Kochi Customs Preventive Commissionerate has seized a total of 60 luxury vehicles under Operation Numkhor as of 8 July .
The two latest seizures are Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs fitted with fake Registration Certificates (RCs) .
An alleged organised interstate syndicate is accused of using forged customs clearance documents and false country-of-origin declarations to evade duty worth several crores.
The probe has been expanded to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu ; proceedings initiated under the Customs Act, 1962 .
Actor Dulquer Salmaan was questioned at the Kochi Customs office; vehicles were seized from premises linked to him in September 2025 .
Officials warn of more seizures as investigators trace the financial trail behind the illegal imports.
The Kochi Customs Preventive Commissionerate has seized two additional Toyota Land Cruiser luxury SUVs, pushing the total number of high-end vehicles recovered under 'Operation Numkhor' to 60 as of 8 July. The latest recoveries, resulting from coordinated investigations spanning multiple states, target an alleged organised interstate syndicate accused of smuggling premium foreign-manufactured vehicles into India through forged documents and fraudulent import records, evading customs duty worth several crores of rupees.
How the Racket Allegedly Operated
According to investigators, the two newly seized SUVs were fitted with fake Registration Certificates (RCs) engineered to mask the vehicles' true origin and enable their registration without triggering scrutiny from enforcement agencies. Preliminary findings indicate the syndicate fabricated customs clearance documents and falsely declared the country of origin before introducing the vehicles into the domestic market.
Officials describe the network as sophisticated, specialising in the preparation of forged paperwork for illegally imported luxury vehicles. Investigators also suspect that certain agents, along with officials within the Motor Vehicles Department, may have facilitated vehicle registrations despite clear irregularities in import documentation.
Probe Expands to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
The investigation, initially centred on Kerala, has now been formally extended to neighbouring states including Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Customs Preventive wing has initiated proceedings under the Customs Act, 1962 and indicated that further widening of the probe is imminent. Several prominent vehicle owners and individuals suspected of links to the racket are expected to be summoned for questioning as investigators attempt to trace the financial trail behind the illegal imports.
Dulquer Salmaan Questioned in Connection with Probe
The operation drew significant public attention after actor Dulquer Salmaan appeared before Customs officials at their Kochi office last week for questioning. The summons followed the seizure of luxury vehicles from premises linked to the actor during searches conducted in September 2025 under Operation Numkhor. He was subsequently directed to produce documents relating to those vehicles. Customs officials have confirmed the investigation is ongoing and have not disclosed further details about his examination.
Scale of Revenue Loss and What Comes Next
Of the 60 vehicles seized so far, most are foreign-manufactured premium cars individually valued at several crores of rupees. Customs officials estimate that the racket has caused substantial revenue losses to the Central government through large-scale customs duty evasion. More seizures are anticipated as the investigation progresses. Operation Numkhor has, over the past several months, emerged as one of the largest probes into illegal luxury vehicle imports in the region.
Point of View
If proven, points to institutional failure that goes well beyond the syndicate itself. The Dulquer Salmaan angle has generated headlines, but the more consequential question is how 60 high-value vehicles cleared documentation checks across multiple states without triggering earlier alerts. Customs authorities owe the public a clearer accounting of the estimated duty evasion figure, which remains vaguely described as 'several crores' despite months of investigation.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Numkhor?
Operation Numkhor is an ongoing crackdown by the Kochi Customs Preventive Commissionerate targeting the illegal import of luxury vehicles into India through forged documents and customs duty evasion. As of 8 July, the operation has resulted in the seizure of 60 high-end vehicles, most of them foreign-manufactured premium cars worth several crores of rupees.
How many vehicles have been seized under Operation Numkhor so far?
A total of 60 luxury vehicles have been seized under Operation Numkhor as of 8 July. The latest additions are two Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs recovered following multi-location investigations outside Kerala.
Why was actor Dulquer Salmaan questioned by Customs?
Dulquer Salmaan appeared before Kochi Customs officials for questioning after luxury vehicles were seized from premises linked to him during searches conducted in September 2025 under Operation Numkhor. He was subsequently asked to produce documents related to those vehicles; Customs has not disclosed further details about his examination.
How did the alleged syndicate evade customs duty?
According to investigators, the syndicate used fabricated customs clearance documents, false country-of-origin declarations, and fake Registration Certificates to introduce illegally imported vehicles into the domestic market without attracting enforcement scrutiny. Certain agents and Motor Vehicles Department officials are also suspected of having facilitated vehicle registrations despite irregularities.
Which states are now part of the Operation Numkhor investigation?
The probe has expanded beyond Kerala to include Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Customs Preventive wing has initiated proceedings under the Customs Act, 1962, and officials have indicated that further expansion of the investigation is likely in the coming days.
