The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has intercepted over 362 metric tonnes of dry dates originating from Pakistan, which were allegedly smuggled into India via the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This significant seizure, announced by the Ministry of Finance, thwarts a sophisticated attempt to circumvent India's strict import ban on goods from Pakistan.
Smuggling Route Uncovered
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted 13 containers of dry dates at CFS Ambad in Nashik. The consignments had arrived from Jebel Ali in the UAE, and their accompanying import documents falsely declared the UAE as the country of origin.
A preliminary investigation revealed a deliberate two-stage shipping process. The dry dates were initially shipped from Karachi Port in Pakistan to Jebel Ali. Once there, they were transferred into a different set of containers and loaded onto another vessel for shipment to India. The Ministry of Finance indicated that entities operated by Pakistani nationals were involved in orchestrating this complex transshipment, designed to conceal the true origin of the goods and bypass Indian trade restrictions.
India's Import Ban on Pakistani Goods
India imposed a complete ban on the direct or indirect import or transit of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan on May 2, 2025. This decisive action followed the Pahalgam terror attack and was instituted in the interest of national security.
Since the ban's implementation, the DRI has been actively targeting attempts to route Pakistan-origin goods into India through third countries. This ongoing initiative, known as "Operation Deep Manifest," focuses on identifying and disrupting networks that employ misdeclaration, transshipment, and document manipulation to bypass trade restrictions.
Safeguarding National Security and Supply Chains
The latest seizure underscores the persistent efforts of the DRI to maintain the integrity of India's borders and trade policies. The Ministry of Finance emphasized that such operations are crucial for safeguarding national security and ensuring the transparency and integrity of supply chains, preventing illicit trade that undermines economic and security frameworks.