In a major enforcement operation named “Operation Fire Trail,” the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized Rs 350 million worth of illicitly imported Chinese firecrackers hidden within seven cargo containers. These shipments were intercepted at Nhava Sheva Port, Mundra Port and Kandla Special Economic Zone, marking one of the largest coordinated crackdowns on firecracker smuggling in recent years.
Weighing 100 metric tonnes, the seized goods had been misdeclared as innocent items such as mini decorative plants, artificial flowers and plastic mats. The consignments were routed through Kandla SEZ by a KASEZ unit with the clear intent of diversion into the Domestic Tariff Area, violating customs protocols and safety regulations.
Investigations led to the arrest of a key individual, a partner in the SEZ unit actively involved in the smuggling operation. He has been remanded to judicial custody by the competent court.
The import of firecrackers into India is categorised as ‘Restricted’ under ITC (HS) Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy and requires mandatory licences from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation. The seized firecrackers contain banned chemicals such as red lead, copper oxide and lithium, posing serious threats to public safety, port operations and the broader logistics network due to their highly combustible nature.
The operation’s success highlights the DRI’s commitment to preventing hazardous shipments from entering India’s markets, thereby averting potential explosions, infrastructure damage and supply chain disruptions. “Operation Fire Trail” reaffirms DRI’s resolve to dismantle smuggling networks that undermine legitimate trade and endanger national safety.
The agency continues to monitor high-risk cargo movements and maintain vigilance across customs and port jurisdictions to ensure the integrity of India’s EXIM trade environment.
