Dulquer Salmaan has come under fresh scrutiny after Customs officials seized a Nissan Patrol associated with him. The vehicle is reportedly part of a wider investigation into an alleged luxury SUV smuggling network.
Seizure Under Operation Numkhor
Customs carried out the seizure under ‘Operation Numkhor,’ an extensive probe led by the Office of the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Cochin. In the latest round of searches, officials confiscated eight premium SUVs from different parts of Kerala. The operation, which began in September 2025, takes its name from the Dzongkha word for “vehicle.” Investigators say the operation has uncovered a large cross-border smuggling and forged registration network.
Vehicle Featured in Dulquer Salmaan's 'Lucky Baskhar'
The seized Nissan Patrol gained attention after appearing in the film Lucky Baskhar. Reports from Mathrubhumi indicate that during promotional interviews for the film, Dulquer reportedly claimed the SUV shown on screen belonged to him. Customs officials have not confirmed whether the actor is the legal owner. They said they are still examining the ownership trail and have not reached a final conclusion.
Customs Shares Details of the Investigation
Customs told Mathrubhumi, “The vehicle had recently gained attention after being featured in the Dulquer Salmaan-starrer movie ‘Lucky Baskhar’. During the promotional interviews for the movie, Dulquer Salmaan has often claimed the Nissan Patrol featured in the movie was his own. Officials seized the SUV on the ‘reasonable belief’ that the vehicle had been illicitly driven into India through the highly porous Bhutan/Nepal land borders, evading steep domestic import taxes and customs duties. We are currently verifying whether the vehicle has any permanent ownership link to the actor himself.”
Authorities suspect the SUVs were brought into India from Bhutan and moved through intermediaries in Delhi before reaching buyers in Kerala. Officials believe luxury vehicles were imported illegally and re-registered using fabricated documents to avoid paying substantial customs duties and taxes.
Operation Numkhor: Scope and Progress
Operation Numkhor began in September 2025. The name comes from the Dzongkha word for “vehicle.” Investigators say the operation has uncovered a large cross-border smuggling and forged registration network. Customs had earlier seized more than 45 vehicles from various parts of Kerala. Investigators are also examining the role of buyers and intermediaries connected to the alleged racket.
Amith Chackalakkal and Dulquer Salmaan are among the public figures reportedly under scrutiny as authorities continue to verify ownership records and financial transactions. The investigation remains ongoing, and Customs has reportedly stated that the actor’s ownership link to the seized vehicle is still under verification.
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