Chennai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has foiled two major attempts to smuggle Chinese firecrackers into India through Chennai Port, seizing thousands of banned fireworks and uncovering a well-organised syndicate that allegedly manipulated customs procedures with the help of a container freight station (CFS) employee.In an operation, DRI officers intercepted two 40-foot containers that arrived from China. The consignments had been falsely declared as carrying ‘trolley bags’ and ‘sprayers’. A detailed examination revealed that the containers concealed around 46,000 pieces of Chinese firecrackers and fireworks.The import of firecrackers is categorised as a ‘restricted’ item under the ITC (HS) classification of the Foreign Trade Policy. Such imports require valid licences from both the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) under the Explosives Rules, 2008.In a separate case, based on DRI intelligence, Chennai Customs unearthed a smuggling racket involving the clandestine removal of 18.7 tonnes of Chinese-origin firecrackers from a container freight station. Investigations revealed that the container carrying the contraband was illegally removed from the CFS without authorisation. Officials said the operation was facilitated through the active connivance of a CFS staff member. Two, including the CFS employee, have been arrested in connection with the case.The Chennai seizures are part of a nationwide crackdown on the smuggling of Chinese firecrackers. Since May 2026, DRI has conducted multiple operations in Mumbai, leading to the seizure of more than 100 tonnes of Chinese-origin firecrackers.
