In News:

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance, launched “Operation Deep Manifest”, resulting in the seizure of Pakistani-origin goods worth ?9 crore.

Key Highlights:

• Seizure Details:39 containers carrying 1,115 metric tonnes of goods—primarily dry dates—were intercepted at Nhava Sheva Port. These goods were falsely declared as originating from the UAE.
• Route Manipulation:The consignments were illicitly routed via Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port after being shipped from Karachi, Pakistan, to obscure their true origin. Shipping documents were falsified and containers were switched during transshipment to evade detection.
• Violation of Policy:This seizure comes after India’s comprehensive ban on Pakistani-origin goods, which took effect on May 2, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attacks. This replaced the earlier 200% customs duty imposed post-Pulwama (2019) and represents a zero-tolerance economic policy toward Pakistan.
• Financial and Security Links:Investigations uncovered financial linkages with Pakistani and UAE-based entities, pointing to an organized smuggling network with possible illicit financial flows and national security implications.
• Enforcement Action:A partner from one of the importing firms was arrested on June 26, and further criminal and financial investigations are ongoing.

Significance:

• National Security:Helps prevent economic infiltration from hostile states and curbs funding channels that could support anti-national activities.
• Trade Compliance:Acts as a deterrent against third-country transshipment—a common method to bypass sanctions or import bans.
• Tech-Driven Enforcement:Utilized document forensics, data analytics, and container surveillance to detect misdeclarations and track suspect cargo routes.
• Reinforces Policy Posture:Strengthens India's position of economic disengagement with Pakistan in response to cross-border terrorism.