The Ministry of Finance announced on 14 October 2026 that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) uncovered a network smuggling Pakistan-origin rock salt into India. Through "Operation Deep Manifest," the DRI detected 295 containers of salt with an estimated market value of Rs 30 crore, which were routed through Sri Lanka and used fake UAE-based documents to hide their origin. The operation, conducted between 26 September and 11 October 2026, led to the arrest of four people and the seizure of 140 metric tonnes of salt and Rs 20.96 lakh in bank accounts. This action enforces a complete prohibition on imports from Pakistan that has been in effect since 2 May 2025.
Key points
- 7,311 metric tonnes of Pakistani rock salt detected across 295 containers
- Estimated market value of smuggled goods: Rs 30 crore
- 4 people arrested, including importing firm partners and a Dubai-based supplier
- Seized: 140 MT of salt (Rs 24.41 lakh) and Rs 20.96 lakh in bank accounts
- Imports from Pakistan have been prohibited since 2 May 2025
When it applies
- start of coordinated DRI operation
- end of coordinated DRI operation
- import prohibition on Pakistani goods
- period during which 295 containers were imported
Who it affects
- all importers
Refers to
- DGFT Notification No. 06/2025-26 dated 02.05.2025
- Customs Act, 1962