New Delhi, 14 September (H.S.): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has foiled an attempt to circumvent the restrictions imposed on imports from Pakistan and seized more than 362 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin dry dates. The action was carried out under the DRI’s special operation, “Operation Deep Manifest.”

The Ministry of Finance said on Monday that, acting on intelligence inputs, DRI officers intercepted 13 containers loaded with dry dates at a Container Freight Station in Ambad, Nashik. The consignment had been imported by a Mumbai-based company, while the import documents declared the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the country of origin of the goods.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a carefully planned trans-shipment process had been used to conceal the actual origin of the goods. According to the investigation, the dry dates were first shipped from Pakistan’s Karachi port to Jebel Ali port in the UAE. The goods were subsequently transferred into different containers there and then dispatched to India.

The investigation also revealed the involvement of certain entities operated by Pakistani nationals in the entire process. Taking serious note of the discrepancy between the documentary declarations and the actual origin of the goods, the DRI seized the consignment and initiated further investigation.

According to the Ministry of Finance, in view of national security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India imposed a complete ban, with effect from May 2, 2025, on the direct and indirect import and transit of all goods originating in or coming from Pakistan.

The Ministry said that efforts to circumvent the restrictions by bringing Pakistan-origin goods into India through third countries are being closely monitored. As part of these efforts, the DRI is identifying, intercepting and seizing such consignments under “Operation Deep Manifest.”

According to the DRI, action will continue against attempts to bypass trade restrictions through misdeclaration, trans-shipment and manipulation of documents. The agency said the action in Nashik represents a significant step towards preventing the indirect import of prohibited goods and ensuring effective compliance with customs laws.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar