In a continued effort under operation “Fire Trail” to counter illicit import of firecrackers, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has successfully busted another sophisticated smuggling attempt involving the illegal import of Chinese-origin fireworks and firecrackers into India.

During the operation, DRI officers intercepted a 40-foot container at Mundra port, originating from China, which was declared as carrying “water glass set” and “flower receptacle”. A detailed examination revealed 30,000 pieces of concealed Firecrackers/ Fireworks hidden behind a front layer of water glass set. Earlier, during the month of October, 2025 DRI had successfully thwarted the attempts of illegal import of Chinese firecrackers at Mumbai and Tuticorin.

The import of firecrackers is ‘Restricted’ under the ITC (HS) Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy and requires valid licences both from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) under the Explosives Rules, 2008. The importer did not have any valid documents to support the import and accepted that the goods have been smuggled for monetary gain. Accordingly, the smuggled Chinese firecrackers along with the cover cargo/goods totally estimated at Rs 5 crore was seized on 15.11.2025 under Customs Act, 1962. The mastermind-cum-financier of the transaction has been arrested.

The unlawful import of such hazardous goods poses grave risks to public safety, national security, critical port infrastructure, and the wider shipping and logistics chain. The DRI remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard public from hazardous contraband and uphold the integrity of the country’s trade and security ecosystem, by detecting and dismantling such organized smuggling networks.

Restricted import of firecrackers leads to customs seizure and arrest for smuggling despite declared cover cargo. DRI intercepted a container concealing 30,000 firecrackers declared as innocuous cargo and seized the consignment under the Customs Act, 1962 after finding no valid import licences; the importer admitted smuggling and a mastermind has been arrested.