The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, has seized a large consignment of 20 metric tonnes of smuggled Chinese-origin firecrackers/fireworks, valued at Rs 6.32 crore, at Nhava Sheva Port. The fireworks were smuggled by misdeclaring the shipment as “leggings” in an attempt to evade detection.
Upon examination, DRI officers discovered that 95 per cent of the container was filled with concealed Chinese-origin firecrackers/fireworks, hidden behind a superficial layer of leggings placed at the front to disguise the true contents. Approximately 60,000 pieces of firecrackers/fireworks were recovered and seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act.
In the recent past, DRI had also traced, intercepted, and seized around 100 metric tonnes of similar illicit firecrackers/fireworks, valued at approximately Rs 35 crore, under an operation codenamed `Operation Fire Trail`. These consignments were found concealed in seven containers across Nhava Sheva Port, Mundra Port, and Kandla SEZ.
The import of firecrackers is classified as ‘Restricted’ under the Foreign Trade Policy, and requires licences from both the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) under the Explosives Rules, 2008. Firecrackers are considered hazardous as they often contain banned chemicals such as red lead, copper oxide, lithium, among others.
Given their highly combustible nature, firecrackers pose a serious risk to public safety, port infrastructure, and the overall logistics supply chain.
