DRI Officers Seize Chinese Firecrackers Worth Rs 35 Crore in Major Smuggling Crackdown

Officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have confiscated Chinese firecrackers valued at Rs 35 crore. These items were being illegally imported in seven containers through misdeclaration, according to a statement from the finance ministry on Friday. One individual has been detained in connection with this case.

The seized firecrackers, weighing 100 metric tonnes, were falsely declared as items like mini decorative plants, artificial flowers, and plastic mats. They were imported under the guise of a Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) unit and certain Importer Exporter Code (IEC) holders. This operation was part of a significant crackdown on smuggling activities involving Chinese fireworks into India.

Operation Fire Trail Uncovers Smuggling Network

In an operation named Operation Fire Trail, the DRI successfully tracked and intercepted large quantities of Chinese firecrackers. These were found hidden in seven containers at Nhava Sheva Port, Mundra Port, and Kandla SEZ. The statement highlighted that some shipments were routed through Kandla SEZ by a KASEZ unit to divert them into the domestic tariff area (DTA).

The main suspect, a partner of the SEZ unit, was actively involved in smuggling these firecrackers by misdeclaring them and exploiting SEZ provisions. This individual has been arrested and is currently in judicial custody as ordered by the court.

Regulations and Safety Concerns

The importation of firecrackers is restricted under the ITC HS Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy. Licences from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) are required under the Explosive Rules 2008 for such imports.

Firecrackers contain banned chemicals like red lead, copper oxide, and lithium, making them hazardous. Their highly combustible nature poses significant risks to public safety, port infrastructure, and the broader logistics supply chain.

This operation underscores the ongoing efforts to prevent illegal imports that threaten safety and violate trade regulations. The authorities remain vigilant in enforcing laws to protect both people and infrastructure from such dangerous activities.

With inputs from PTI