DRI seizes 1,115 metric tonnes of Pakistani-origin goods worth ₹9 crore in major crackdown

In a major crackdown on illegal imports, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of goods valued at approximately ₹9 crore. Originating from Pakistan and routed through third countries—particularly Dubai, UAE—the consignment was seized under “Operation Deep Manifest” for violating import restrictions imposed by the Government of India following the Pahalgam terror attacks.

“One of the partners of an importing firm was arrested on June 26, 2025,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

The seizures were made at Nhava Sheva port in two separate cases. The goods had been falsely declared as UAE-origin to bypass the import ban on Pakistani goods. However, a detailed investigation and document analysis revealed that the consignments were initially shipped from Karachi port, transhipped at Dubai’s Jebel Ali port, and then rerouted to India using a separate set of containers and vessels.

The investigation also uncovered financial transactions linked to Pakistani entities, raising concerns over illicit cross-border money flows.

The enforcement action follows the Indian government’s blanket ban—effective May 2, 2025—on the direct or indirect import or transit of goods from Pakistan. This policy was introduced after the Pahalgam terror attacks, replacing an earlier 200% customs duty with an outright prohibition. Despite this, attempts to circumvent the policy by falsely declaring the origin of goods and manipulating shipping documentation have continued.

The DRI’s operation revealed a sophisticated network involving both Pakistani and UAE nationals aimed at concealing the true origin of the goods. Surveillance data and cargo movement trails traced the consignments back to Pakistan, exposing the use of third-country routing to mask the source.

“In the context of ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the prevailing heightened security environment, DRI intensified its vigil through augmented intelligence gathering and data analytics to target consignments emanating from Pakistan. This proactive surveillance resulted in high-value seizures,” the ministry added.

The DRI has intensified scrutiny of cargo movements linked to high-risk geographies through data analytics and targeted intelligence gathering.