Posted by AI on 2025-10-02 15:19:34 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-13 20:36:07
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A recent raid by India's Customs Preventive Wing has exposed a sophisticated network of racketeering and smuggling, with a startling connection to the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. On September 23, a coordinated operation across 30 locations in Kerala, including the residences of famous actors, resulted in the seizure of 39 high-end second-hand Bhutanese vehicles. This operation, codenamed Numkhor, meaning "vehicle" in Bhutan's Dzongkha language, has unveiled a complex web of intrigue that spans multiple countries and involves a diverse cast of characters.
The plot resembles a Frederick Forsyth novel, with smuggling agents, army officials, and forged documents. The investigation has led authorities to a former Royal Bhutan Army official, believed to be the kingpin, and a network of middlemen and dealers. These individuals procured classic SUVs discarded by the Bhutanese armed forces and smuggled them into India, where they were fraudulently registered and resold, often to high-profile buyers. The operation's reach extends beyond Kerala, with illegal imports reported in Himachal Pradesh and the north-eastern states.
The implications are far-reaching, raising concerns about potential terrorist activities and the use of vehicles as weapons. The ability to forge documents and manipulate official websites highlights the sophistication of this criminal enterprise. As the investigation unfolds, it may lead to a multi-agency probe, potentially involving narcotics or arms trafficking, mirroring the DEA's operations against Hezbollah in 2011.
With the Himalayan region becoming a new frontier in the fight against terror, Operation Numkhor serves as a stark reminder of the intricate and global nature of modern criminal networks. The investigation continues, leaving the public and authorities alike awaiting further revelations and the potential exposure of a much larger criminal conspiracy.