DRI Seizes Rs 9 Crore Worth of Pakistani Goods in ‘Operation Deep Manifest’ at Navi Mumbai Port

A major smuggling attempt was foiled at Navi Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva Port, where officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 39 containers loaded with goods originating from Pakistan. These goods, weighing over 1,100 metric tonnes and valued at around Rs 9 crore, were part of an illegal import plan.

Operation Deep Manifest Uncovers Illegal Trade

The crackdown was part of “Operation Deep Manifest”, launched by DRI to stop unauthorized imports of Pakistani goods into India. According to the Ministry of Finance, the cargo was shipped to India through Dubai, attempting to bypass a government-imposed trade ban. Officials confirmed that one importer linked to the firm involved has been arrested.

Violation of Import Ban Following Terror Attacks

India had placed a complete ban on direct or indirect imports from Pakistan starting May 2, 2025, after the terror attacks in Pahalgam. Earlier, Pakistani imports were subject to 200% customs duty, but the current restrictions completely prohibit any such trade. Despite this, some importers are using fake shipping documents to disguise the origin of the goods.

False Declaration, Transshipment via Dubai

Investigations showed that the seized consignments were wrongly declared as being of UAE origin. In reality, the goods were first shipped from Karachi to Dubai, where they were repacked and redirected to India. Officials discovered money trails and financial links with Pakistani businesses, raising red flags about possible illegal money transfers.

Security Heightened After Operation Sindoor

In the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and rising concerns over cross-border threats, the DRI has ramped up monitoring using intelligence reports and data analytics. Authorities are now focused on tracking shipments that may be linked to banned countries like Pakistan.