Mumbai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested a Byculla businessman in connection with the alleged import of 362.75 tonnes of Pakistan-origin dry dates valued at Rs 5.66 crore, routed through the UAE to evade the import prohibition. The agency seized 13 containers imported under the name of M/s Sunshine Impex, alleging the goods were routed through Jebel Ali, UAE, and falsely declared as UAE-origin to evade an import prohibition. Darvesh, who was earlier also arrested in a similar offence, was the beneficial owner and controlled the import operation.The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has banned all imports of goods originating from Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The DRI on Friday arrested Asif Aziz Darvesh under the Customs Act, and he has been remanded to judicial custody.Officials received specific intelligence indicating that consignments were being imported by falsely declaring the UAE as the country of origin, although the goods had originated in Pakistan and were routed through Jebel Ali. DRI intercepted and seized 13 containers imported in the name of M/s Sunshine Impex under a Bill of Entry dated Aug 16, 2026. The seized dry dates, weighing approximately 3,62,750 kg, have an estimated market value of Rs 5.66 crore. During the investigations, it was found that the consignments originated from Karachi and were transhipped through Jebel Ali before being imported into India. Darvesh allegedly controlled the import operation despite Sunshine Impex being the importer on record. DRI alleged that Darvesh was the beneficial owner of the goods and coordinated with overseas suppliers, freight forwarders and Customs intermediaries.The DRI further alleged that Darvesh had guided Salim Mistry in obtaining the Importer Exporter Code (IEC) of Sunshine Impex and had executed a power of attorney to operate the business, while retaining 95% of the profit or loss.The agency also alleged that Darvesh had long-standing dealings with overseas entities, including Kanz Alhuda Goods Wholesalers LLC and Noman Ahmad Shipping LLC. According to the DRI, Noman Ahmad Shipping LLC handled both the Karachi-UAE and UAE-India legs of the transportation and stored the goods in a private warehouse.The agency alleged that Darvesh withheld material information and did not produce the mobile phone through which he had communicated with overseas suppliers and other persons involved in the transaction. Darvesh had previously been arrested in March 2026 in a similar case involving alleged imports of Pakistan-origin dry dates. The agency said the present investigation is examining whether the same modus operandi was used in earlier imports.
