The day after a joint raid conducted by Thiruvananthapuram, DRI and Customs officials in a luxury car smuggling racket in a luxury car trafficking racket, 24 September (IANS), which exposed tax evasion through illegal imports rooted through Bhutan, is joining the Enforcement Directorate investigation.
On Tuesday, the raid seized about 36 cars from various people, including Mammooti’s son Duller Salman, upcoming actor Amit Chaklak and others.
High-profile inspections started on Tuesday morning and are being done simultaneously at about 30 places in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.
Meanwhile, notices have been given to all those who do wrong things.
The vehicles of Salman and Chakalkal were confiscated. Even though the raid team reached Prithviraj’s house, they were unable to go further. However, the investigation team is likely to serve the notice to Prithviraj.
ED officials collected case files and intelligence information directly from custom officials, after the revelations that large -scale financial irregularities were associated with the racket.
The apex customs officer confirmed the need to check the potential money laundering angles for the intervention of Ed.
Investigators suspect that the money generated through these vehicle transactions may be diverted.
Along with ED, other central agencies are also expected to investigate.
Early customs conclusions indicated that many individuals are engaged in financial fraud through vehicle trade, with deals with several crores.
The Ed is investigating violations under the Prevention of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Documents related to these violations have already been collected.
The ED believes that luxury cars were purchased to rob illegally earned money by influential persons.
Customs had earlier revealed that the racket caused important goods and service tax (GST) theft.
The Central GST department has also started a separate investigation.
Meanwhile, the customs duty is preparing to share the details with the Ministry of External Affairs, as some vehicles are suspected of using the forged embassy documents to register.
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SG/SVN