Luxury Vehicle Smuggling Ring Linked to Famous Actors Uncovered

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a sweeping raid on Wednesday, targeting locations linked to actors including Prithviraj, Dulquer Salman, and Amit Chakkalackal. The operation is part of an unfolding investigation into a high-profile Customs case concerning the smuggling of luxury vehicles from Bhutan to India.

Authorities searched a total of 17 premises across various cities such as Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Coimbatore. The raids focused on vehicle owners, auto workshops, and traders, as the ED aims to dismantle what appears to be a syndicate involved in unauthorized foreign exchange dealings and the illegal importation of high-end cars.

Preliminary reports suggest a Coimbatore-based network employed forged documents claiming origins from the Indian Army and US Embassy to register vehicles fraudulently. These luxury cars were allegedly sold at undervalued prices to high-net-worth individuals, including prominent figures in the film industry.

(With inputs from agencies.)