Overview

• Customs (Preventive) teams searched 30–35 locations across Kerala in a day‑long sweep, including Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kuttippuram and Thrissur.
• Two vehicles linked to actor Dulquer Salmaan were seized and no vehicles of Prithviraj Sukumaran were taken, while six cars were confiscated from actor Amith Chakkalakkal, according to officials.
• Investigators outlined a Coimbatore‑based network that allegedly moved cars from Bhutan into India, used fake addresses for initial registration in states like Himachal Pradesh and manipulated Parivahan entries.
• Customs said forged seals of institutions including the Indian Army and foreign embassies were used, and that some vehicles were previously employed to smuggle gold and narcotics, triggering money‑laundering and tax‑evasion probes.
• Owners of the 36 seized vehicles have been summoned for statements as multi‑agency checks continue, with potential further phases and a possible pan‑India inquiry under consideration.