DRI seizes over 362 MT Pakistan-origin dry dates in crackdown under ‘Operation Deep Manifest’
DRI has seized more than 362 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin dry dates allegedly routed through the UAE with documents declaring the UAE as the country of origin.
A preliminary investigation found that the consignments had allegedly been routed through a transshipment arrangement designed to conceal the Pakistan origin of the goods.
NEW DELHI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized more than 362 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin dry dates in a crackdown on attempts to circumvent India’s prohibition on imports from Pakistan under “Operation Deep Manifest”.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted 13 containers of dry dates imported by a Mumbai-based firm at the Container Freight Station (CFS) Ambad in Nashik. The consignments had arrived from Jebel Ali in the UAE, with import documents declaring the UAE as the country of origin.
A preliminary investigation found that the consignments had allegedly been routed through a transshipment arrangement designed to conceal the Pakistan origin of the goods.
The dry dates were initially shipped from Karachi Port in Pakistan to Jebel Ali Port in the UAE in one set of containers aboard one vessel. At Jebel Ali, the goods were reportedly transferred into another set of containers and loaded onto a different vessel for onward shipment to India.
According to the DRI, the onward movement involved entities operated by Pakistani nationals.
India imposed a complete prohibition on the direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan with effect from May 2, 2025, citing national security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack. The prohibition was imposed through DGFT Notification No. 06/2025-26 dated May 2, 2025.
DRI targets third-country routing
Under “Operation Deep Manifest”, the DRI has been identifying and intercepting Pakistan-origin goods allegedly being routed to India through third countries in an attempt to circumvent the import prohibition.
The latest seizure highlights the use of transshipment, misdeclaration and manipulation of documentation as methods allegedly employed to disguise the origin of restricted goods.
The DRI said the seizure demonstrates its continued efforts to identify, disrupt and dismantle networks attempting to circumvent trade restrictions through third-country routing.
The agency also said such enforcement action is aimed at safeguarding national security and strengthening supply-chain integrity.
