By: Express News ServiceMumbai | September 13, 2025 11:58 PM IST 2 min readAccording to the DRI, the consignments were imported by three Indian importers in blatant violation of prohibitions imposed by the government on import of Pakistani-origin goodsThe Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) launched ‘Operation Deep Manifest’ for interception and seizure of Pakistani origin goods and recently seized 28 containers carrying 800 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin cosmetics and dry dates worth Rs. 12 crore at Nhava Sheva Port.The Pakistani dry dates and cosmetics were routed via Jebel Ali Port, Dubai, UAE by declaring the consignment as originating from UAE. However, during investigation, the agency found that these consignments actually came from Pakistan.Such operations started post the Pahalgam terror attack after the Centre imposed a complete ban on direct or indirect import of Pakistan-origin goods to India on May 2 this year.According to the DRI, the consignments were imported by three Indian importers in blatant violation of prohibitions imposed by the government on import of Pakistani-origin goods. During investigation, it was learnt that a Dubai-based supplier, who facilitated the trans-shipment of dry dates from Pakistan by issuing bogus invoices, and an Indian national was arrested.The entire modus operandi was set up in such a complex web of transactions involving Pakistani, Indian and UAE nationals, with an intention to secure the actual origin of the goods. The Dubai-based supplier is an Indian national who was allegedly operating on a commission basis and used his firms to disguise the trail of trans-shipment and the financial trail from India to Pakistan was also routed through him.However, in connection with the Pakistani cosmetics, a customs broker has been arrested for allegedly facilitating the smuggling of cosmetics by misdeclaring the country of origin.The DRI initiated the ‘Operation Deep Manifest’ in June with the seizure of 39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of goods valued at approximately ₹9 crore and arrested the importer behind the illicit importation. “Some importers attempt to bypass the government policy by misdeclaring the origin of goods by manipulating the related shipping documents, despite the agency’s stringent measures,” said a DRI official.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Directorate of Revenue Intelligence