The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 364 metric tonnes of dry dates valued at approximately ₹3 crore after detecting alleged misdeclaration of goods' country of origin. According to the Ministry of Finance, DRI officers intercepted 13 containers carrying the dry dates at Gujarat's Kandla Port on Wednesday after receiving specific intelligence inputs. The consignments had been declared as originating from the United Arab Emirates, but investigation found that the goods were actually sourced from Pakistan. "Investigation revealed that the goods, though declared as originating from the UAE, were in fact of Pakistan origin," the ministry stated.
The dates were allegedly transported from Pakistan to Dubai, where they were shifted into another set of containers before being shipped to India. As reported by the Ministry of Finance, officials alleged that "the importers concealed key information and falsely declared the country of origin to evade India's prohibition on the import of Pakistan-origin goods." The entire consignment was seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. This methodology demonstrates sophisticated smuggling techniques designed to circumvent India's trade restrictions.
In a separate case last week, the DRI detected an alleged attempt to import about 14 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin guggul resin, valued at approximately ₹1.4 crore, through Tuticorin Port. According to the Ministry of Finance, the consignment had been declared as natural resin originating from Somalia and was routed through Dubai. "Investigations established that the shipment actually contained Guggul resin of Pakistani origin," the ministry reported, adding that "forged documents had been used to facilitate the transshipment." Two individuals allegedly involved in the conspiracy were arrested. Guggul resin, obtained from the Commiphora species, is native to arid regions of India and Pakistan and is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, amended through a Directorate General of Foreign Trade notification dated May 2, 2025, the direct or indirect import or transit of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan is prohibited. As reported by the Ministry of Finance, the DRI stated that imports in both cases violated this prohibition. The latest seizure demonstrates the continued challenges in enforcing India's trade restrictions with Pakistan, particularly through complex routing schemes involving third countries.
