In a continued crackdown against the illicit import of hazardous contraband, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has successfully foiled two attempts to smuggle Chinese-origin fireworks and firecrackers into India through Chennai Port.

 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.

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.

Earlier 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.

Restricted import of firecrackers exposed through misdeclaration, cargo concealment, and clandestine removal from a container freight station. Restricted import of firecrackers under the Foreign Trade Policy requires valid licences from both the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization. Enforcement operations detected mis-declared containers concealing Chinese-origin fireworks and firecrackers, as well as clandestine removal of contraband from a Container Freight Station without Customs authorisation. The smuggling activity involved cargo substitution, active connivance of CFS staff, seizure of substantial quantities, and arrests of multiple persons.