DRI Busts Transnational Smuggling Ring Moving 7.3 Million Kilograms of Pakistani Rock Salt
The DRI dismantled a transnational syndicate smuggling 7.3 million kg of Pakistani rock salt through Sri Lanka and UAE to bypass India's import ban.
In a massive crackdown on transnational illicit trade, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a sophisticated smuggling network responsible for moving over 7.3 million kilograms of Pakistani-origin rock salt into India.
Operation Deep Manifest: A Massive Seizure
The Ministry of Finance confirmed the success of 'Operation Deep Manifest,' a high-stakes investigation conducted between September 26 and October 11, 2026. The operation uncovered a massive scale of illegal activity involving 295 containers packed with approximately 7,311 metric tonnes of industrial and Himalayan rock salt. The estimated market value of the smuggled goods stands at a staggering Rs 30 crore.
This crackdown comes in the wake of strict national security measures. India has maintained a total prohibition on the direct or indirect import of goods from Pakistan since May 2, 2025, following the DGFT Notification No. 06/2025-26 issued after the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Smuggling Blueprint: Masking the Origin
The investigation revealed a complex web of deception used by the syndicate to bypass customs. To hide the true Pakistani origin of the salt, the smugglers utilized the following tactics:
- Third-Country Routing: Shipments were routed through the Colombo Port in Sri Lanka to break the direct link to Pakistan.
- Fabricated Paperwork: The ring used fraudulent certificates of origin and invoices from entities based in the UAE to mislead authorities.
- Document Manipulation: While the original Bills of Lading explicitly listed Pakistan as the source, importers manipulated customs declarations to make the goods appear as if they were from other regions.
The illicit shipments primarily entered Indian territory through the Mundra and Kandla ports.
Arrests and Nationwide Searches
The DRI has successfully arrested four key individuals involved in the operation. The arrests include:
- Two proprietors of importing firms.
- A Customs Broker's G-card holder.
- A Dubai-based supplier who operated an importing entity under his father's name.
In total, nine importers have been identified as part of this criminal scheme. Following the intelligence gathered, authorities conducted extensive searches across multiple states and cities, including Gandhidham, Adipur, Veraval, Panipat, Pune, Patiala, Delhi, and Mumbai.
Financial Seizures and Ongoing Vigilance
During the operation at Kandla, officials seized five containers holding 140 metric tonnes of salt, valued at Rs 24.41 lakh. Additionally, investigators recovered Rs 20.96 lakh in sales proceeds from various bank accounts linked to the syndicate.
This operation is part of a larger, intensified effort by the DRI to intercept third-country smuggling routes. It follows a similar seizure in September 2026, where 362,000 kilograms of Pakistan-origin dry dates were intercepted, signaling a continuous battle against the illegal movement of goods across borders.