DRI seizes 364 metric tonne (MT) banned Pakistan-origin dry dates imports worth Rs. 3 crore

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 364 metric tonnes of dry dates worth about Rs 3 crore at Kandla Port after uncovering that the consignment, declared as UAE‑origin, was actually sourced from Pakistan. The goods were routed via Dubai to conceal the prohibited Pakistan origin, violating the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 amendment (DGFT Notification No. 06/2025‑26) which bans direct or indirect import of Pakistan‑origin items from 02‑05‑2025. The operation follows a recent DRI interception of 14 MT of Pakistan‑origin Guggul resin misdeclared as Somali‑origin at Tuticorin. Both seizures were executed under the Customs Act, 1962, highlighting DRI’s role in curbing illicit trans‑national trade and enforcing import bans.