Customs officials on Thursday seized ₹3.15 crore in cash from a car allegedly smuggled from Karnataka into Kerala, marking one of the region’s largest recent interceptions linked to suspected contraband networks. The operation, executed in coordination with state police and central agencies, followed months of sustained surveillance on the vehicle’s movements.
Long surveillance leads to early-morning interception
Officials from the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Kozhikode Division, had reportedly been tracking the vehicle for several months based on credible intelligence inputs. According to the department, the information suggested that a gang was transporting contraband and unaccounted money from Bengaluru to northern Kerala on a weekly basis.
Acting on this intelligence, enforcement teams intercepted a Hyundai Creta at Mananthavady in the early hours of Thursday. The operation was supervised by Joint Commissioner Shashikant Sharma and Deputy Commissioner Syam Nath S, with technical and logistical support from the police and other central enforcement units.
Customs officials said the driver attempted to mislead the team during questioning, but the suspicious behaviour only strengthened officers’ resolve to conduct a thorough search.
Cash found in welded steel boxes hidden under flooring
A detailed inspection of the car revealed carefully engineered steel compartments welded beneath the rubber flooring of the vehicle. These concealed boxes contained 630 bundles of cash, amounting to ₹3.15 crore.
Officials said the design indicated professional fabrication intended to bypass routine checks. The vehicle’s interior had no visible signs of tampering, making the hidden compartments difficult to detect without in-depth inspection.
The manner in which the cash was packed and transported, officers noted, suggested a well-organised network with access to specialised modification services.
Three men detained; key supplier identified
Three men from Vadakara in Kozhikode district were detained from the vehicle. During interrogation, they reportedly confessed that the cash was supplied by Salman Kandathil, also a resident of Vadakara.
The detainees are believed to be part of a larger syndicate that may be involved in both cash smuggling and other illegal activities across state borders. Officers said further questioning is underway to trace the financiers, handlers, and potential beneficiaries of the seized amount.
Follow-up searches were also carried out at five locations near Karipur and Vadakara, as authorities worked to uncover additional evidence related to the suspected network.
Currency to be handed over to Income Tax Department
Customs officials confirmed that the seized cash will be transferred to the Income Tax Department for further probe. The IT Department will examine the source of the money, tax evasion angles, violations under the Income Tax Act, and possible links to hawala transactions.
Senior officers added that the case could expand into a multi-agency investigation depending on the findings, especially if links to organised crime or cross-border financial channels are established.
Conclusion
The seizure highlights growing concerns about interstate smuggling channels, especially those involving unaccounted cash and contraband routed through northern Kerala. With surveillance intensifying across sensitive routes, officials expect more breakthroughs in ongoing crackdowns against financial crime.