India Seizes Smuggled Pakistani Salt Via Sri Lanka

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has successfully dismantled a significant transnational smuggling network that illegally imported over 7,311 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin rock salt. This operation, known as 'Deep Manifest', uncovered a scheme that routed shipments through Sri Lanka and employed forged trade documents to obscure the salt's true origin. The estimated market value of the seized contraband is around Rs 30 crore.

The smuggled goods were imported via Mundra and Kandla ports since March 2026 by nine different importers. Investigations revealed that fabricated certificates of origin and invoices from United Arab Emirates-based entities were used to disguise the goods as originating from elsewhere, thus violating India's prohibition on imports from Pakistan. Five containers of rock salt were seized at Kandla port, along with Rs 20.96 lakh in sales proceeds from importers' bank accounts.

As part of a coordinated operation between September 26 and October 11, DRI searched multiple locations across India, including Gandhidham, Panipat, Pune, and Delhi. The arrests include proprietors of importing firms, a Customs Broker's G-card holder, and the owner of a Dubai-based supplier. This bust follows a similar crackdown last month on smuggled Pakistan-origin dry dates, highlighting ongoing efforts to circumvent import bans for national security reasons.