Last Updated:
DRI seized 39 containers with 1,115 metric tonnes of Pakistani goods at Nhava Sheva Port in Navi Mumbai
Containers are piled up at a terminal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Mumbai. (AP file photo)
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of goods of Pakistani origin at Nhava Sheva Port in Navi Mumbai. The items, valued at around Rs 9 crore, were originally from Pakistan but were routed to India through Dubai and the UAE.
The operation, codenamed “Operation Deep Manifest,” exposed the illegal import of Pakistani goods that were routed through third countries to bypass India’s trade restrictions. The Ministry of Finance confirmed the seizure in an official statement on Thursday.
According to the ministry, the goods clearly violated India’s import rules, which ban the direct or indirect import and transit of items from Pakistan. One partner of the importing firm has been arrested in connection with the case.
The Indian government had imposed a full ban on Pakistani imports after the Pahalgam terror attack, effective from 2 May 2025. Earlier, goods from Pakistan were taxed at a 200 per cent customs duty. Despite these strict measures, some importers have tried to mislead authorities by falsely declaring goods as coming from other countries.
“In two separate cases, these consignments were seized at Nhava Sheva port. The consignments were falsely declared as UAE-origin, masking their Pakistani origin.,” said the Ministry of Finance.
The investigation found that the goods were first sent from Pakistan to Dubai using one set of containers and vessels, and then re-shipped to India using different ones. Document checks also confirmed cargo movement from Karachi Port (Pakistan) and transshipment at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port before reaching India.
Authorities also uncovered financial links and money transfers involving Pakistani businesses, raising concerns about illegal money 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,” the ministry said.
(With inputs from agencies)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
- First Published: