The Kochi Customs (Preventive) unit has made another arrest in connection with Operation Numkhor, the ongoing investigation into the smuggling of vehicles from Bhutan and Nepal. According to customs officials, a 23-year-old man identified as Yash, a resident of Jaipur, was taken into custody on Wednesday. The arrest marks the seventh in this operation, which has spanned four states.
Role in the Smuggling Network
Investigations revealed that Yash actively colluded with two previously arrested individuals, Biswadip Das and Zain Marva, in the smuggling and illegal registration of vehicles originating from Bhutan. Customs sources stated that Yash acted as a middleman, facilitating the sale of these smuggled vehicles to interested customers through social media platforms. Furthermore, the probe uncovered that Yash himself is the registered owner of more than two such smuggled vehicles.
Legal Action and Previous Arrests
Yash was arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, for his active involvement in smuggling Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) from Bhutan into India. He is the seventh person to be apprehended in Operation Numkhor, which has already seen the arrest of several key figures. These include Biswadip Das, identified as the kingpin of the smuggling operation; Zain Marva, a partner at M/s Roadway Cars in Kozhikode; and Deepak Potawary, a District Transport Officer from Bongaigaon, Assam. Four other individuals have also been arrested for their roles in smuggling and the fraudulent registration of vehicles.
Scope of the Operation
Operation Numkhor has exposed a massive smuggling racket, with customs investigations revealing that several such illegally imported vehicles were in use across the state, including by celebrities. The customs department has indicated that details and findings from the investigation will be forwarded to relevant agencies for further action and coordination. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to probe the extent of the network and its operations.
