The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, at 17 locations across Kerala and Tamil Nadu in connection with the ongoing probe into alleged smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles and unauthorised foreign exchange dealings, officials said.

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

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.

ED

See Full Page