Hydrolase with high activity towards palmitoylcarnitine. Is also active with p-nitrophenylacetate and alpha-naphthylacetate (By similarity). May also hydrolyze retinyl esters (PubMed:12230550). all-trans-retinyl hexadecanoate + H2O = all-trans-retinol + H(+) + hexadecanoate H2O + O-acyl-(R)-carnitine = (R)-carnitine + a fatty acid + H(+) Expressed in liver, stomach and kidney. Belongs to the type-B carboxylesterase/lipase family.