Under Operation Deep Manifest, DRI uncovers ₹9 crore of Pakistani-origin goods in 39 containers at Nhava Sheva; one arrested.
In a major enforcement sweep, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) today announced the seizure of 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of Pakistani-origin goods—valued at roughly ₹9 crore—under Operation Deep Manifest. The haul, intercepted at Nhava Sheva port, came to light after investigators traced a web of illicit transshipments via Dubai, UAE, in direct violation of India’s post-Pahalgam ban on Pakistani imports. One partner in the importing firm has been arrested.
Following the Pahalgam terror attacks, New Delhi imposed a strict May 2 ban on all direct or indirect imports of Pakistani exports—previously subjected to a 200 percent duty. Yet smugglers have persisted, falsely declaring cargo origins and shuffling containers between vessels.
“This operation sends a clear message: we will expose every attempt to flout our trade rules,” said a senior DRI official.
How the scheme worked
- Dried dates and other goods were mislabelled as UAE origin.
- Cargo shipped from Karachi to Jebel Ali, then reloaded for India.
- Financial trails linked Pakistani and UAE nationals, revealing complex money flows.
DRI’s parallel Operation Sindoor, boosted by enhanced intelligence gathering and data analytics, flagged suspicious patterns, leading to the high-value seizures.
National security and trade integrity
Operation Deep Manifest underscores India’s resolve to safeguard its economic borders and prevent misuse of maritime routes. By combining targeted intelligence, inter-agency coordination, and on-the-ground vigilance, the DRI reaffirms its commitment to upholding import laws and ensuring that trade channels remain secure.
Source: PIB
