In a proactive effort to counter the illegal import of firecrackers ahead of the Deepawali, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in continuation of ‘Operation Fire Trail’, intercepted two forty-foot containers at Tuticorin Port. These containers were found to contain 83,520 pieces of Chinese firecrackers, mis-declared as engineering goods. The contraband, valued at ₹5.01 crore, was seized along with cover cargo of silicon sealant guns.

During coordinated operations from 14^th-18^th October 2025, DRI officers apprehended the importer at Tuticorin and, based on investigation, arrested three other individuals (including two Mumbai-based persons) from Chennai and Tuticorin. All four have been remanded to judicial custody for their coordinated role in this case.

The import of firecrackers is restricted under the ITC (HS) Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy and requires licence from DGFT and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) under the Explosive Rules, 2008. The illegal importation and mis-declaration not only violates foreign trade and safety laws but also poses a serious risk to public safety and port infrastructure due to the highly combustible nature of firecrackers.

The DRI remains committed to combating smuggling, safeguarding national infrastructure, and protecting public safety.

Import restrictions on firecrackers enforced, seizure and arrests follow for mis-declared explosive consignments lacking required licences. Two forty-foot containers at Tuticorin Port concealed 83,520 Chinese firecrackers mis-declared as engineering goods; the consignments were seized and four persons arrested. Import of firecrackers requires an import licence and compliance with explosive-safety rules; mis-declaration and unauthorised importation breach foreign trade controls and explosive-safety regulations, posing risks to public safety and port infrastructure.