Mumbai, Jul 11 (PTI) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) traced, intercepted and seized Chinese firecrackers and fireworks worth Rs 35 crore as part of the agency's 'Operation Fire Trail', an official said on Friday.

The firecrackers and fireworks were concealed in seven containers destined for or lying at Nhava Sheva Port near Mumbai as well as Mundra Port and Kandla SEZ in neighbouring Gujarat, he added.

"These Chinese fireworks, weighing 100 metric tonnes, were illicitly imported in the name of a KASEZ unit and certain IEC holders by mis-declaring them as mini decorative plants, artificial flowers and plastic mats. Some of these consignments were routed through Kandla SEZ by a KASEZ unit with the aim of diversion into the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA)," the official said.

"The key individual, a partner of the SEZ unit, found to be actively involved in the smuggling of Chinese firecrackers and fireworks through misdeclaration and misuse of SEZ provisions, was arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Further probe is underway," he said. PTI DC BNM

Misdeclaration and misuse of SEZ provisions prompt seizure of illicit fireworks shipment and arrest, investigation ongoing. A consignment of Chinese-origin firecrackers and fireworks concealed in multiple containers was seized after being misdeclared as decorative items and routed through SEZ channels to effect diversion into the Domestic Tariff Area, prompting arrest of a partner of an SEZ unit and ongoing investigation into IEC holders and routing practices.