The DRI seized 1,115 tones of smuggled Pakistani goods mis declared as UAE-origin at Nhava Sheva port. The illegal imports via Dubai violated India’s ban on Pakistan trade post-Pahalgam attack. “Operation Deep Manifest” uncovered a complex smuggling network involving fake documents and illicit financial flows.
In a major crackdown on illegal trade, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 1,115 metric tones of Pakistani-origin goods, valued at nearly ₹9 crore, that were being clandestinely imported into India through Dubai. This significant operation is part of the DRI’s ongoing efforts to enforce the nationwide ban on imports from Pakistan, imposed in the wake of recent terror attacks.
The massive haul was intercepted in two separate cases at the Nhava Sheva port, one of India’s busiest container terminals. A total of 39 containers were seized, all of which were misdeclared as UAE-origin goods to bypass Indian customs regulations.
According to a statement released by the DRI on Thursday, investigations have revealed that the consignments had originated from Pakistan and were routed through Dubai to disguise their true origin. The operation, codenamed “Operation Deep Manifest,” specifically targeted the illegal transshipment of Pakistani goods via third countries—primarily the United Arab Emirates.
“Following the Pahalgam terror attacks, the Indian government had enforced a comprehensive ban on the direct or indirect import or transit of goods from Pakistan, effective May 2, 2025. However, attempts continue to bypass this restriction through elaborate smuggling schemes,” an official noted.
The DRI’s probe uncovered that the goods were initially shipped from Karachi Port in Pakistan to Dubai. From there, they were transferred into new containers and vessels destined for Indian ports, in an effort to conceal the original shipping trail. This transshipment technique was used to evade the origin verification process enforced by Indian authorities.
Further scrutiny of shipping documents and cargo trails revealed a sophisticated network involving both Pakistani and UAE nationals. These actors orchestrated a chain of deceptive transactions to obscure the true source of the goods. Additionally, financial trails have indicated money transfers involving Pakistani entities, pointing to possible violations of financial regulations and raising concerns about illicit financial flows into the country.
The DRI has intensified its enforcement actions in light of the broader national security context, including “Operation Sindoor,” a nationwide operation aimed at cracking down on illegal trade activities linked to countries of concern. Enhanced intelligence gathering and data analytics tools were crucial in detecting this elaborate smuggling attempt.
As part of this ongoing probe, one of the partners of an importing firm has been arrested. Authorities suggest that more arrests and seizures could follow as the investigation progresses.
This latest seizure underscores the growing sophistication of cross-border smuggling networks and highlights the importance of continued vigilance. The DRI has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding India’s economic and national security interests by ensuring strict compliance with trade regulations.
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Officials warn that importers involved in misdeclaration and fraudulent trade practices will face stringent legal action under the Customs Act and other applicable laws. The agency continues to monitor import consignments closely, particularly those involving high-risk countries or suspicious routing patterns.
As India strengthens its trade surveillance systems and aligns them with national security priorities, this successful interception serves as a stark reminder that any attempt to violate import restrictions—particularly those linked to hostile nations—will be met with decisive action.
