The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 30,000 pieces of smuggled Chinese-origin firecrackers worth around ₹5 crore at Mundra port in Gujarat, uncovering yet another major smuggling attempt under its ongoing operation “Fire Trail”.
Acting on intelligence inputs, DRI officers intercepted a 40-foot container arriving from China that had been declared as carrying “water glass sets” and “flower receptacles”. A detailed inspection revealed that the front layer of legitimate cargo was being used to conceal a large quantity of prohibited fireworks.
This operation follows similar seizures carried out by the DRI in Mumbai and Tuticorin in October 2025, highlighting a recurring pattern of attempts to illegally import Chinese firecrackers into India.
Import of firecrackers is classified as “restricted” under the ITC (HS) Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy. It 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. According to officials, the importer failed to produce any such licences and admitted that the consignment had been smuggled for monetary gain.
The smuggled firecrackers and the cover cargo were seized on November 15 under the Customs Act, 1962. The alleged mastermind and financier behind the smuggling attempt has been arrested.
