DRI seizes 132 containers worth ₹139 crore at Nhava Sheva Port
Goods misdeclared as toor dal found to include restricted seeds; importer arrested in DRI probe
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai has seized 132 containers of smuggled agricultural goods worth about ₹139 crore at Nhava Sheva Port and arrested the importer linked to the operation.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted the containers, which held around 3,029 metric tonnes (MT) of goods declared as ‘Toor Dal/Pigeon Peas’. However, a detailed examination found that the consignments actually contained 2,710 MT of watermelon seeds from Tanzania and Sudan, along with 319 MT of green peas imported from Canada.
Investigations showed that the goods were deliberately misdeclared to bypass import restrictions imposed by the government. The import of melon seeds has been restricted or prohibited since June 2024 under DGFT Notification No. 05/2023 dated April 5, 2024. Similarly, green pea imports are regulated under DGFT Notification No. 37/2015–20 dated December 18, 2019, which requires a minimum import price of ₹200 per kg (CIF) and allows imports only through Kolkata Port.
The proprietor of the importing firm, identified as a key person behind the organised smuggling operation, was arrested on April 19, 2026.
The DRI said it will continue to step up intelligence-driven operations against the smuggling of restricted and prohibited goods. It added that such actions are aimed at protecting the country’s economic interests, ensuring fair competition for domestic producers, and enforcing compliance with import regulations.