DRI busts firecracker smuggling syndicate, seizes Chinese-origin firecrackers worth Rs 35 crore in operations at Chennai and Mumbai; 12 arrested
New Delhi, June 27
In a continued crackdown against the illicit import of hazardous contraband, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has successfully foiled two attempts to smuggle Chinese-origin fireworks and firecrackers into India through Chennai Port, the Ministry of Finance said in an official statement.
In this operation, DRI officers intercepted two 40-foot containers originating from China, which were mis-declared as carrying "Trolley Bags" and "Sprayers". Upon detailed examination, the containers were found to be concealing around 46,000 pieces of firecrackers and fireworks, ingeniously hidden behind cover cargo.
In another case, booked on the basis of intelligence developed by DRI, Chennai Customs unearthed a smuggling syndicate involving the clandestine removal of 18.7 MT of Chinese-origin firecrackers. Investigation revealed that the container carrying the contraband was illicitly taken out of the Container Freight Station (CFS) without Customs authorisation, the firecrackers were offloaded, and the container was subsequently brought back after being substituted with other cargo. The clandestine operation was facilitated through the active connivance of a CFS staff member. Two persons, including the involved CFS staff involved, have been arrested in the case, it added.
The import of firecrackers is 'Restricted' under the ITC (HS) Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy and requires valid licences from both the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) under the Explosives Rules, 2008. The illegal import of such hazardous goods poses serious risks to public safety, national security, port infrastructure, and the shipping and logistics ecosystem, as per the ministry.
Since May 2026, DRI has conducted a series of operations at Mumbai leading to the cumulative seizure of more than 100 MTs of Chinese firecrackers. In a case booked by DRI at Mumbai, active involvement of employees of CFS in facilitating the smuggling and attempt to substitute the cargo was also noticed. Ten persons, including four employees of the CFS, one of whom was the Exports Manager, have been arrested in the case.
Overall, with the latest seizure, these operations resulted in big seizures of Chinese firecrackers valued at around Rs 35 crore, and arrest of 12 persons.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Rs 35 crore worth of firecrackers and 12 arrested? This is just the tip of the iceberg. The real issue is how these containers even get cleared from Chinese ports and how the CFS staff is so easily bribed. Need stricter background checks on all port employees.
This is a national security issue, not just smuggling. If they can sneak in firecrackers, they can sneak in anything. Kudos to DRI for catching them, but we need more surveillance at all major ports. China will always try to exploit our gaps.
I don't understand why people still buy Chinese firecrackers when they're banned. They're so dangerous too - remember the fire accident in Tamil Nadu last year? 😡 Government should also ban firecrackers completely for Diwali, our air quality is already bad enough.
Finally, action that makes sense. But I would have appreciated more transparency - how exactly did these CFS employees manage to take the container out without authorization? We need to fix the system, not just arrest individuals. Step in right direction though! 👍
My father works at Chennai port and he says such smuggling has been going on for years. This is not a one-off. The nexus between corrupt CFS staff and importers is deep. DRI should investigate the entire network, not just these 12 people. Good start though!
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