Dulquer Salmaan has been questioned by Customs officials as part of the luxury vehicle smuggling investigation. According to reports, the actor was grilled for nearly four hours regarding vehicles under scrutiny. The case is being investigated under Operation Numkoor, a nationwide crackdown on the alleged smuggling of high-end vehicles.
Dulquer Salmaan probed in car smuggling case
According to a report in The Hindu, Dulquer Salmaan was questioned by a Customs team probing the alleged luxury SUV smuggling racket on July 1. He was grilled for nearly four hours. Of the four seized vehicles, the actor had earlier secured the provisional release of two.
“He has not requested the provisional release of the remaining vehicles. Details of the vehicles were sought. Also, he may be asked to produce the other high-end vehicles in his possession before the investigators,” a Customs source said.
Officials have also asked the actor to submit additional documents related to the luxury vehicles under scrutiny.
About the car smuggling case
The operation, codenamed Operation Numkoor, is investigating the alleged smuggling of high-end vehicles from Bhutan. The vehicles were reportedly bought at low auction prices and later resold at inflated rates. Kochi has become a focal point in the nationwide Customs crackdown. Among the locations raided in September 2025 were the residences of Malayalam actors Prithviraj Sukumaran and Dulquer Salmaan.
Officials also seized two luxury cars during the searches conducted under Operation Numkoor. According to Salmaan’s petition, the vehicle in question is a 2004 model Land Rover Defender. The petition further states that the vehicle had been cleared through a bill of entry for home consumption filed by the ICRC as the consignee.
The actor also raised concerns about the matter being publicised in the media, saying it had affected his reputation. “Publicity was given in the media for vested reasons on the seizure, and the vehicle was portrayed as though it was among certain other vehicles being used for smuggling, carrying drugs, contraband, and anti-state activities. This has put the petitioner in a bad light, affecting his reputation,” the petition stated.
Dulquer Salmaan’s upcoming movies
On the work front, Dulquer Salmaan will next be seen in Nahas Hidhayath’s I’m Game. According to sources close to the actor, both his character and the world of the film have been designed in a highly modern and stylish manner. The project has generated considerable excitement among fans ever since the makers unveiled Dulquer’s first-look poster, which features him striking a stylish pose with a pistol in his hand.
Dulquer Salmaan faces Customs probe in alleged luxury SUV smuggling case
