Archive · 25 Sep 2025
Customs Probes Bhutan Car Smuggling, Focuses on Land Cruiser
Customs is looking into whether some cars were brought into the country from Bhutan without paying the right taxes.
They're especially interested in a white Land Cruiser SUV that was registered in Arunachal Pradesh.
Officials suspect the car might have been illegally imported, and the registration information might be fake.
They're questioning the car owner and looking into the vehicle's documents.
This is part of a larger investigation called Operation Numkhor, which has already led to the seizure of many vehicles.
Customs is investigating suspected smuggling of used cars from Bhutan.
The probe focuses on a 1992 Toyota Land Cruiser SUV registered in Arunachal Pradesh.
The vehicle is registered to Mahin Ansari, who will be interrogated.
Customs is checking if import duties were paid on the Land Cruiser.
Operation Numkhor has led to the seizure of 38 vehicles.
- Who
- Customs officials
- What
- Investigation into the suspected smuggling of used cars from Bhutan.
- When
- Investigation ongoing
- Where
- Kerala, with focus on Kochi and Arunachal Pradesh vehicle registration.
- Why
- To determine if import duties and taxes were paid and investigate alleged fake addresses used for registration.
Government
Suspects
Legality of Imports
Government
The government believes the cars were imported illegally and without paying proper taxes.
Suspects
The car owners, if proven guilty, may claim that they have imported vehicles legally.
- Lead Agency
- Customs Preventive Unit
- Operation Name
- Numkhor
- Seized Vehicle
- 1992 Toyota Land Cruiser
- Vehicle's Current State
- Undergoing repainting in Kochi
- Owner Summoned
- Mahin Ansari
- Suspected Crime
- Illegal import of vehicles, tax evasion
