DRI Seizes Rs 12 Crore Pakistani Goods in ‘Operation Deep Manifest’
DRI busts smuggling ring, arrests two at port.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 28 containers carrying cosmetics and dry dates of Pakistani origin, valued at approximately Rs 12 crore, at Nhava Sheva port in Navi Mumbai on September 14, 2025. The operation, dubbed ‘Operation Deep Manifest,’ led to the arrest of two individuals involved in a sophisticated smuggling network that violated India’s ban on Pakistani-origin goods. The seizure exposed a complex web of transactions designed to obscure the true origin of the consignments, which were routed through Dubai to evade detection.
According to DRI officials, three Indian importers, in collusion with a Dubai-based Indian national, orchestrated the illegal import of 800 tonnes of goods. The Dubai operative facilitated the transhipment of dry dates from Pakistan by issuing fabricated invoices and misdeclaring the goods as UAE-origin at Jebel Ali port. This deception was part of an elaborate scheme to bypass India’s prohibition on Pakistani imports, imposed on May 2, 2025, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The ban prohibits both direct and indirect imports from Pakistan.
The DRI’s investigation revealed that money was funneled from India to Pakistan through the Dubai-based facilitator, who operated on a commission basis. A supplier and a Customs broker were arrested for their roles in the smuggling operation, with the latter accused of falsely declaring the country of origin for the cosmetics. The seized goods, including high-value cosmetics and dry dates, were intended for distribution in India, undermining national trade restrictions.
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‘Operation Deep Manifest’ underscores the DRI’s heightened vigilance since the import ban, aimed at curbing illicit trade from Pakistan amid strained bilateral ties. The arrests and seizure send a strong message about India’s commitment to enforcing trade sanctions. Further investigations are underway to uncover additional links in the smuggling network, with authorities probing potential connections to other illegal activities.
