Dulquer Salmaan has come under fresh scrutiny after Customs officials seized a Nissan Patrol belonging to him. The vehicle is part of a wider investigation into an alleged luxury SUV smuggling ring.Customs made the seizure on the basis of an extensive investigation led by the Office of the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Cochin called “Operation Numkhor”. In the latest round of raids, officials confiscated eight premium SUVs from different parts of Kerala.The vehicle featured in Dulquer Salmaan’s ‘Lucky Baskhar’The impounded Nissan Patrol grabbed attention after it appeared in Lucky Baskhar. Mathrubhumi reports that during the promotional interviews of the film, Dulquer claimed that the SUV on screen was his. Customs officials have not confirmed whether the actor is the legal owner. They said that they are analyzing the course of the property and that they have not reached a definitive conclusion.Customs is sharing details of the investigationCustoms told Mathrubhumi, “The vehicle recently gained attention after he starred in Dulquer Salmaan’s film ‘Lucky Baskhar’. Dulquer Salmaan has often claimed in promotional interviews for the film that the Nissan Patrol featured in the film was his. Officials seized the SUV on the basis of a “reasonable belief” that the vehicle was illegally in BhuNepal. Borders, including high import duty and customs duties avoiding We are currently verifying whether the vehicle has a permanent ownership link with the actor himself.’Authorities suspect that the SUVs were brought to India from Bhutan and routed through middlemen in Delhi before reaching buyers in Kerala.What is Operation Numkhor?Operation Numkhor began in September 2025. The name comes from the Dzongkha word for “vehicle”. Investigators say the operation uncovered a large cross-border smuggling and registration network.Officials believe the luxury vehicles were imported illegally and re-registered using fabricated documents to pay high customs duties and taxes.Customs had earlier seized more than 45 vehicles from various parts of Kerala. Investigators are also looking into the role of buyers and middlemen connected to the alleged racket.Amith Chackalakkal and Dulquer Salmaan are among the public figures under scrutiny as authorities continue to check property records and financial transactions. The investigation continues, and according to Customs, the actor’s ownership link to the seized vehicle is still being verified.
