The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), operating under the continued effort of “Operation Fire Trail,” successfully intercepted a sophisticated smuggling attempt, seizing a consignment of illegally imported Chinese-origin firecrackers at Mundra Port.
The Concealment and Seizure
During the operation on November 15, 2025, DRI officers intercepted a 40-foot container originating from China. The cargo was falsely declared as “water glass set” and “flower receptacle.”
A detailed examination revealed 30,000 pieces of concealed firecrackers/fireworks hidden behind the front layer of the cover goods. The total estimated value of the smuggled Chinese firecrackers and the cover goods was ₹5 crore. The goods were seized under the Customs Act, 1962, and the mastermind-cum-financier of the transaction was arrested.
Violation of Import Rules
The import of firecrackers is classified as ‘Restricted’ under the Foreign Trade Policy (ITC (HS) Classification). Importing these goods requires valid licenses from two key authorities:
• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
• The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) under the Explosives Rules, 2008.
The importer failed to produce any valid documents for the consignment and confessed that the goods were being smuggled for monetary gain.
The DRI emphasized that the unlawful import of such hazardous goods poses grave risks not only to public safety but also to national security, critical port infrastructure, and the wider logistics chain. This bust follows similar successful thwarted attempts by the DRI in Mumbai and Tuticorin earlier in October 2025.