**Summary:**
On July 11, 2025, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) announced the successful execution of "Operation Fire Trail," a major crackdown on the smuggling of Chinese firecrackers into India. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately Rs. 35 crore worth of illicit fireworks, weighing 100 metric tonnes, concealed in seven containers. The containers were destined for or located at Nhava Sheva Port, Mundra Port, and Kandla SEZ. The firecrackers were imported under false declarations, misrepresenting them as goods such as Mini Decorative Plants, Artificial Flowers, and Plastic Mats. Investigations revealed that a key individual, a partner in a Kandla SEZ unit, was actively involved in the smuggling operation, intending to divert the goods into the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA). This individual has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The import of firecrackers is restricted under the Foreign Trade Policy's ITC HS Classification and requires licenses from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) under the Explosive Rules 2008. The seized firecrackers contained banned chemicals like red lead, copper oxide, and lithium, posing a significant risk to public safety, port infrastructure, and the supply chain. The DRI's operation prevented potentially hazardous shipments from entering Indian markets, averting accidental explosions and supply chain disruptions. The DRI remains committed to combating smuggling and protecting national infrastructure and public safety.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Finance: The Union Ministry of Finance of India, the department under which the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) operates.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence DRI: The primary anti-smuggling intelligence and enforcement agency of the Government of India.
Operation Fire Trail: The codename for the operation conducted by the DRI to seize smuggled Chinese firecrackers.
Nhava Sheva Port, Maharashtra: A major container port in Maharashtra, India, where some of the smuggled firecrackers were destined.
Mundra Port, Gujarat: A port in Gujarat, India, where some of the smuggled firecrackers were found.
Kandla SEZ, Gujarat: Kandla Special Economic Zone in Gujarat, India, through which some of the consignments were routed.
Foreign Trade Policy: The export-import policy of the Government of India. The import of firecrackers is restricted under ITC HS Classification of this policy.
Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation PESO: An organisation in India from which licenses are required for importing firecrackers under the Explosive Rules 2008.
Ministry of Finance
DRI foils major smuggling bid, seizes 35 crore worth
of Chinese firecrackers in “Operation Fire Trail”
Posted On: 11 JUL 2025 7:22PM by PIB Delhi
In a major crackdown on smuggling of Chinese firecrackers and fireworks into India, the Directorate of
Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in an operation codenamed “Operation Fire Trail”, successfully traced,
intercepted, and seized huge quantities of Chinese firecrackers/fireworks, valued at approximately Rs. 35
crore, found concealed in seven containers destined for or lying at Nhava Sheva Port, Mundra Port, and
Kandla SEZ.
These Chinese fireworks, weighing 100 metric tonne were illicitly imported in the name of a KASEZ unit and
certain IEC holders, by misdeclaring them as goods such as “Mini Decorative Plants,” “Artificial Flowers”,
and “Plastic Mats”.
Notably, some of these consignments were routed through Kandla SEZ by a KASEZ unit with an intent ofdiversion into the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA). The key individual, a partner of the SEZ unit, found to be
actively involved in the smuggling of Chinese firecrackers/fireworks through misdeclaration and misuse of
SEZ provisions, has been arrested. He has been remanded to judicial custody by the Hon’ble Court.
The import of firecrackers is ‘Restricted’ under ITC (HS) Classification of the Foreign Trade Policy, and
requires licences from DGFT and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) under the Explosive
Rules 2008. Firecrackers and fireworks are harmful as they contain banned chemicals like red lead, copper
oxide, lithium, etc.
Firecrackers pose a significant risk to public safety, port infrastructure, and the wider logistics supply chain
due to their highly combustible nature.
This meticulously planned and seamlessly executed operation underscores DRI’s unwavering resolve to
combat smuggling, safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure, and protect public safety. By preventing
these illegal hazardous shipments from entering Indian markets, DRI has averted potential hazards ranging
from accidental explosions to supply chain disruptions.
The DRI remains committed to its mission of detecting, deterring, and dismantling illicit networks that
undermine Exim trade ecosystem and endanger public safety.
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NB/KMN
(Release ID: 2144111)