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The Kochi Zonal Office is conducting search operations under FEMA, 1999 on 08 October 2025 at 17 locations across Kerala and Tamil Nadu in connection with the ongoing probe into smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles and unauthorised foreign exchange dealings.

The searches were based on inputs exposing a syndicate engaged in illegal import and registration of luxury cars such as Land Cruiser, Defender, and Maserati through Indo-Bhutan/Nepal routes.

Preliminary findings reveal a Coimbatore-based network using forged documents (purporting to be from Indian Army, US Embassy, and MEA) and fraudulent RTO registrations in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and other states. Vehicles were later sold to HNI individuals, including film personalities, at undervalued prices.

ED action was initiated as prima facie violations of Sections 3, 4, and 8 of FEMA were detected — involving unauthorised foreign exchange transactions and cross-border payments through hawala channels.

Further investigation is underway to trace the money trail, beneficiary network, and foreign exchange movement.

The operation covered 17 premises including residences and establishments of film stars like Prithviraj, Dulquer Salman and Amith Chackalacal, certain vehicle owners, auto workshops, and traders in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kottayam, and Coimbatore.