In a proactive crackdown on the illegal import of firecrackers ahead of Deepawali, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), as part of its ongoing ‘Operation Fire Trail’, intercepted two 40-foot containers at Tuticorin Port.
The containers, falsely declared as carrying engineering goods, were found to conceal 83,520 pieces of Chinese firecrackers valued at Rs. 5.01 crore. The consignment, along with its cover cargo of silicon sealant guns, has been seized.
Between 14th and 18th October 2025, DRI officers conducted coordinated operations across Tuticorin and Chennai, apprehending the importer at Tuticorin and subsequently arresting three others — including two individuals from Mumbai — for their involvement in the smuggling network. All four accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
The import of firecrackers is restricted under the ITC (HS) Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy and requires authorisation from both the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) under the Explosives Rules, 2008. The mis-declaration and illicit import not only breach trade and safety regulations but also endanger public safety and port infrastructure given the highly combustible nature of firecrackers.
The DRI reaffirmed its commitment to combating smuggling, safeguarding national assets, and ensuring public safety.
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