The DRI has uncovered an alleged ₹30 crore racket involving illegal imports of Pakistani rock salt through third countries.
How Was Pakistani Rock Salt Imported Into India?
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has detected the illegal import of 7,311 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin industrial and Himalayan rock salt through 295 containers, despite India’s prohibition on imports of Pakistani goods. The consignments, valued at approximately ₹30 crore, were routed through Colombo Port in Sri Lanka to conceal their actual origin.
Investigators found that fabricated certificates of origin and invoices issued by UAE-based entities were used to present the shipments as originating elsewhere. The operation, named Operation Deep Manifest, involved coordinated searches conducted between September 26 and October 11, 2026, across Gandhidham, Adipur, Veraval, Panipat, Pune, Patiala, Delhi and Mumbai.
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What Did the Investigation Reveal?
According to the DRI, nine importers brought the 295 containers into India through Mundra and Kandla ports beginning in March 2026. Preliminary findings revealed a transnational network involving entities owned by Pakistani, UAE, Sri Lankan and Indian nationals. The network allegedly coordinated shipments and supporting documents to disguise the Pakistani origin of the goods.
Investigators found that bills of lading covering shipments between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, along with customs declarations filed with Sri Lankan authorities, identified Pakistan as the country of origin and India as the final destination. However, the certificates of origin submitted by importers were found to be fabricated.
What Has Been Seized and Who Was Arrested?
The DRI seized five containers carrying 140 metric tonnes of industrial and Himalayan rock salt, valued at ₹24.41 lakh, at Kandla Port. Investigators also seized ₹20.96 lakh in sales proceeds held in the importers’ bank accounts.
Four people were arrested under the Customs Act, 1962. Those arrested include two proprietors or partners of importing firms, a Customs Broker’s G-card holder and the owner of a Dubai-based supplier who had also established and operated an importing firm in his father’s name.
The investigation concerns alleged customs violations and the use of fraudulent trade documentation to bypass import restrictions.
Why Are Pakistani Imports Prohibited?
India imposed a complete prohibition on the direct or indirect import or transit of goods originating in or exported from Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. The restriction was introduced through a Directorate General of Foreign Trade notification dated May 2, 2025, citing national security and public policy.
The latest investigation follows another DRI operation in which 362,000 kilograms of Pakistan-origin dry dates, packed in 13 containers, were seized at CFS Ambad in Nashik.
Both cases highlight alleged attempts to circumvent import restrictions through third-country routing, false declarations and fabricated trade documents.
The investigation highlights how international trade documentation can allegedly be manipulated to conceal the origin of restricted goods. The discrepancy between shipping records and certificates submitted by importers demonstrates the importance of verifying customs declarations, financial transactions and supply-chain records when enforcing import prohibitions.
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