The Customs Preventive unit in Kochi has seized a 1992-model Toyota Land Cruiser as part of its ongoing investigation into the suspected smuggling of vehicles from Bhutan.
Officials said the SUV, which was first registered in Arunachal Pradesh in 2012, is now under detailed scrutiny.
According to investigators, the vehicle was registered in the name of Mahin using an Assam address.
However, inquiries revealed that the SUV actually belongs to Mahin Ansari of Muvattupuzha.
Unlike other vehicles seized under the operation, this SUV had no previous owners and was directly registered in Mahin’s name, raising suspicions about its import.
Sources said the SUV, originally white and now undergoing repainting in a Kochi workshop, is believed to have entered India from Bhutan.
Authorities are examining whether the vehicle was imported legally with duty and taxes paid.
Customs has summoned Mahin to produce registration and import documents, while also investigating the use of a fake Assam address to obtain Arunachal registration.
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The seizure comes under Operation Numkhor, a crackdown launched by Customs against illegally imported Bhutan-registered vehicles.
So far, 38 SUVs have been seized, and over 200 are suspected to be operating in Kerala.
The probe has also drawn attention for involving cars owned by film stars Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Amith Chakalakkal.
Customs Commissioner T. Tiju recently confirmed that investigations are being expanded to track down all such vehicles.
