DRI seizes Pak-origin dry dates worth Rs 3cr at Kandla Port

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized 364 metric tonnes of Pakistan-origin dry dates worth Rs 3 crore in a crackdown on attempts to circumvent India’s prohibition on imports originating from the country.

In a statement, the Finance Ministry said the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has unearthed a case involving the clandestine routing and mis-declaration of Pakistan-origin goods through third countries.

In an intelligence-led operation, officers of DRI intercepted 13 containers carrying 364 metric tonnes (MT) of dry dates, valued at approximately Rs 3 crore, imported at Kandla Port. Investigation revealed that the goods, though declared as originating from the UAE, were in fact of Pakistan origin.

The enquiries established that the goods were first transported from Pakistan to Dubai and subsequently shifted to another set of containers before being exported to India.

The importers allegedly suppressed material facts and mis-declared the country of origin in an attempt to evade the prohibition on import of Pakistan-origin goods.

Accordingly, the entire consignment has been seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Last week, DRI officers had uncovered an attempt to import around 14 MTs of Pakistan-origin Guggul resin valued at Rs 1.4 crore through misdeclaration of description and country of origin at Tuticorin port.

The consignment had been falsely declared as natural resin originating from Somalia and routed through Dubai. Two persons involved in the conspiracy were also arrested.

As per India’s Foreign Trade Policy, direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan is currently prohibited.