Operation Deep Manifest: DRI Probe Reveals APMC Traders Syndicate Linked To ₹25 Crore Pakistan-Origin Dry Dates Routed via Dubai

In a major breakthrough under ‘Operation Deep Manifest’, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has unearthed a cross-border import scam involving 39 containers of dry dates, allegedly of Pakistani origin but routed through Dubai to bypass trade restrictions. The investigation has led to a powerful syndicate of businessmen allegedly from Navi Mumbai’s Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), believed to be at the heart of the illicit trade network.

The DRI's probe revealed that the consignment of 39 containers was formally declared as valued at Rs 9 crore and imported by Vortex Speciality Foods LLP and Purav enterprises. However, forensic valuation and financial trails suggest the true worth is more than double the declared amount approximately Rs 25 crore. Officials privy to the investigation said the operation was built on a strategy of under-invoicing, misdeclaration of origin, and undervaluation of cargo, and hawala payments to cover the real value were central to the modus operandi.

The key accused, Harshit Shah, proprietor of Vortex Speciality Foods LLP, has been taken into judicial custody by DRI for his alleged role in an illegal import syndicate that routed Pakistani-origin goods into India through third countries. During the probe, investigators uncovered that Shah was also secretly operating a front company, Purav Enterprises, that was being used to mask his deeper involvement in the network.

Sources further revealed that  a  group of  businessmen, operating from the APMC market in Navi Mumbai, facilitated the financial leg of the operation. Under-invoiced payments were allegedly routed through hawala networks, first to Dubai, then onward to Pakistan, effectively bypassing formal trade and banking restrictions. The agency sources claimed that approximately Rs 17 crore was laundered through hawala by the APMC based traders and sent to Pakistan based exporters.

DRI seizes Pakistan-origin goods misdeclared as UAE imports at Nhava Sheva Port under Operation Deep Manifest

“The declared value was nothing more than a smokescreen. In reality, the payments had already been settled in advance by a group of traders from Navi Mumbai’s APMC market, where the consignment was ultimately meant to be delivered. The transactions were routed through concealed informal channels well before the shipment was dispatched, amounting to a blatant violation of customs protocols and foreign exchange regulations,” a top enforcement official revealed on condition of anonymity.

Sources further said Shah is divulging critical information related to previous consignments, hawala operators, and cross-border fund transfers linked to the illegal import of several Pakistani goods. Investigators have also identified multiple individuals believed to be part of the larger smuggling and laundering operation. 

DRI seizes Pakistan-origin goods misdeclared as UAE imports at Nhava Sheva Port under Operation Deep Manifest

Following the Pahalgam terror attacks, the Indian government imposed a complete ban effective May 2, 2025 on the direct or indirect import or transit of goods originating from Pakistan. Prior to the ban, such goods attracted a 200% customs duty. Despite this, the DRI has flagged repeated attempts by syndicates to misdeclared goods and forge origin details to skirt restrictions. Investigators noted that the shipping documents, including the Bill of Lading, were falsified to reflect UAE as the origin country. The arrangement, officials say, was a calculated attempt to erase the Pakistani trail and evade detection.

DRI seizes Pakistan-origin goods misdeclared as UAE imports at Nhava Sheva Port under Operation Deep Manifest

As per findings from the ongoing DRI investigation, the operation is believed to have been systematically run from Pakistan over an extended period. The consignment of dry dates arrived at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port between April 28 and 30, with alleged involvement of traders from Pakistan who facilitated Bill of Lading.

As part of the meticulously planned modus operandi, investigators noted that special care was taken to ensure the packaging bags had no Pakistani export markings. To avoid detection during inspections in India, the dry dates were packed in bags labeled “Product of UAE” before being shipped from Pakistan to Dubai. 

Once the consignment reached Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port at the end of May, it was transferred to the Free Zone area within the port premises. Dubai-based firm Al Ard Al Zarkha Goods Wholesaler LLC was listed as the fictitious consignor in the shipping documents, despite having no actual role in sourcing the goods, an arrangement investigators believe was deliberately designed to obscure the true origin. The Bill of Lading (Export Bill) was also fabricated to falsely declare the United Arab Emirates as the country of origin, effectively masking the consignment’s Pakistani roots.

According to sources in the port’s Free Zone, shipment logistics were handled by Mohd Khan Haji General Trading LLC, a trading firm based in Al Ras, Deira, Dubai. Investigators allege that this firm facilitated the transfer of Pakistani-origin dry dates into containers associated with the Dubai-based consignor, and managed the documentation and cargo movement through UAE ports, effectively routing the goods to India through a third country, thereby bypassing formal trade restrictions between India and Pakistan.

The containers reached Nhava Sheva Port on May 6 and were subsequently moved to Punjab Conware Container Freight Station (CFS) in Navi Mumbai, based on specific intelligence alerts received by the DRI.

Officials said this may be just the tip of the iceberg. Over 100 additional consignments are now under the scanner, and many are suspected to have already cleared customs before the scam came to light. . Authorities suspect that several shell companies, hawala transactions, and Pakistani exporters were involved in a long-running and well-structured operation.

 Both Dubai-based companies Al Ard Al Zarkha Goods Wholesaler LLC and Mohd Khan Haji General Trading LLC are now under scrutiny for their suspected roles in a wider import-export syndicate. Investigators allege the network operated through falsified documentation, misdeclaration of origin, and deliberate undervaluation of goods to evade duties and conceal true trade routes.  

Officials suspect these firms were instrumental in enabling a hawala-backed smuggling operation, allegedly spearheaded by a group of businessmen based in Navi Mumbai’s Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) market.

The DRI is now working in coordination with foreign enforcement agencies to examine the corporate structure, beneficial ownership, and historical shipping records of both Dubai-based entities as part of the expanded investigation. 

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