Customs officials on Monday searched the homes of leading Malayalam actors Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan and Prithviraj Sukumaran as part of an ongoing nationwide investigation into luxury vehicle imports routed through Bhutan.
The investigation, named as Operation Numkoor, is aimed at uncovering rackets that use registration loopholes to move luxury vehicles into India without paying duties. As part of the drive, officials searched nearly 30 locations across five districts in Kerala, including Prithviraj’s residence in Thevara and Dulquer’s home in Panampilly Nagar. They also conducted a search at Mammootty’s residence in Elamkulam, Kochi. Officers also visited Prithviraj’s house in Thiruvananthapuram but left without making any seizures.
Investigators suspect that vehicles imported into Bhutan under exemptions were later re-registered with fabricated documents before being smuggled into Indian markets. Customs officials have been monitoring agents linked to the network, and recent leads pointed to a clientele list that reportedly included film personalities and prominent business figures.
The Kerala and Lakshadweep Customs Commissionerate is overseeing the drive in the state, with raids also taking place at the houses of businessmen and at several showrooms in Malappuram and Kozhikode. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is understood to have raised the initial alert, following which the details were passed on to state enforcement agencies for coordinated action.
Mammootty, who recently returned after undergoing treatment for health issues, has been keeping a low profile since his comeback. The veteran actor lent his voice for a cameo in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra as Moothon and will next be seen in Kalamkaval, where he is reportedly playing a morally grey character.
Dulquer is currently basking in the blockbuster success of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time, produced under his Wayfarer Films banner. The actor also appeared in a cameo role as Charlie/Odiyan in the fantasy epic, envisioned as the first chapter of a five-part franchise rooted in Kerala’s folklore and mythology.
Prithviraj, meanwhile, was last seen in his directorial venture L2: Empuraan, the second instalment of the Lucifer trilogy headlined by Mohanlal, which briefly held the record as Malayalam cinema’s top grosser before Lokah surpassed it. The Aadujeevitham actor awaits the release of Vilayath Buddha and has Nissam Basheer's i, Nobody, Vysakh's Khalifa, and Kaaliyan lined up in his upcoming slate.
Further details on the customs investigation are awaited.
