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Container ship in export and import business and logistics. Shipping cargo to harbor by crane. Water transport International. Aerial view and top view. | Photo Credit: MAGNIFIER
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of Pakistani goods. One person has been arrested.
Post Pahalgam terrorist attack, with effect from May, 2025, India completely banned imports from Pakistan. Still, efforts made to send these goods through third countries, mainly Dubai. To target this illegal import, DRI launched ‘Operation Deep Manifest.’ The operation has thus far led to seizure of goods valued at approximately ₹9 crore. One of the partners of an importing firm was arrested on Thursday.
Previously, such goods were subject to 200 per cent customs duty. Despite these stringent measures, some importers attempt to bypass government policy by mis-declaring the origin of goods and manipulating related shipping documents, said DRI. In two separate cases, these consignments were seized at Nhava Sheva port. The consignments were falsely declared as UAE-origin, masking their Pakistani origin. However, investigations revealed that these goods actually originated from Pakistan and were merely trans-shipped via Dubai for import into India.
Investigations revealed that the goods were initially transported from Pakistan to Dubai on one set of containers and vessels, and subsequently transferred to another set of containers and vessels bound for India. Further examination of goods and analysis of documents gathered during investigations conducted so far uncovered cargo movement trails from Karachi port, Pakistan, and transhipments at Jabel Ali port, Dubai – en route to Indian ports.
Furthermore, money transfers/financial linkages with Pakistani entities were traced, raising serious concerns about illicit financial flows. The entire modus operandi was orchestrated through a complex web of transactions involving Pakistani and UAE nationals, aimed at obscuring the true origin of the goods, namely Pakistan.
In the context of ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the prevailing heightened security environment, DRI intensified its vigil, through augmented intelligence gathering and data analytics, for targeting of consignments emanating from Pakistan. This proactive surveillance resulted in high-value seizures.
Published on June 26, 2025
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