The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has launched a special operation named 'Operation Deep Manifest' to prevent the illegal import of goods of Pakistani origin, particularly through third countries, especially Dubai and the UAE.
New Delhi: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has taken major action against consignments of goods being illegally sent from Pakistan to India. Under the operation called 'Operation Deep Manifest', the DRI seized 39 shipping containers at the Nhava Sheva port, containing approximately 1115 metric tons of goods. According to officials, the estimated value of these containers is approximately 9 crore rupees. This merchandise was sent to India in violation of Indian import policy and government restrictions.
How was the disclosure made?
According to sources, the DRI had been receiving inputs for some time that goods manufactured in Pakistan were being sent to India via Dubai. In fact, the Indian government had banned all kinds of trade with Pakistan on May 2, 2025, after the Pahalgam terrorist attacks. Prior to this, customs duty of up to 200 percent was levied on goods imported from Pakistan. Despite this restriction, some importers were trying to circumvent the government's policy by sending goods made in Pakistan to India through the UAE.
The DRI kept an eye on this entire network and found during the investigation that the containers were brought from Karachi port in Pakistan to Dubai (Jebel Ali Port), from where they were loaded onto different ships and containers and sent to India. During this time, the country of origin of the goods was shown as the UAE in the shipping documents to hide the identity of Pakistan.
How was the conspiracy caught?
According to investigating officers, the packing, labeling, and several pieces of evidence of production of the goods in these containers made it clear that they were made in Pakistan. When the DRI carefully matched the import documents, several discrepancies were found. After this, 39 containers were seized and a thorough investigation of the matter was started.
On June 26, the DRI also arrested an associate of an importing firm involved in the case, and questioning is underway. The DRI believes that many more people and businessmen may be involved in this racket, and the investigation has been intensified to identify them.
Restrictions are being repeatedly broken
It is noteworthy that trade relations between India and Pakistan are already very limited. In 2019, after the Pulwama attack, India imposed a 200 percent customs duty on the import of most goods from Pakistan. After this, after the Pahalgam attacks on May 2, 2025, trade between the two countries was completely stopped. But Pakistani businessmen and some Indian importers together are finding ways to circumvent these restrictions.
DRI officials say that this is a case of 'circuit routing', in which goods are shipped through a third country instead of being sent directly from Pakistan to India to avoid restrictions.
The investigating agencies are now also investigating whether this merchandise contained any dangerous materials or whether there was an angle of terrorist funding involved in it. DRI sources say that scientific testing of the seized goods will also be done. Apart from this, alerts have been issued at several ports to find out how many more consignments have been or are being brought to India.
