DRI seizes 10,000 kg of firecrackers at Nhava Sheva, key syndicate member arrested
DRI officers intercepted an import container at Nhava Sheva Port and recovered 19,800 firecracker pieces weighing roughly 10,000 kg, arresting a key syndicate member.
Officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have seized a large consignment of firecrackers at Nhava Sheva Port in an intelligence-led operation, recovering about 10,000 kg of the restricted goods with an estimated market value of Rs. 3 crore.
The import container had been declared to contain "Bottle & Wallpaper." On examination, however, investigators found that barring the first three rows, which held the declared items, the container was filled predominantly with firecrackers. The consignment comprised 19,800 pieces of a variety known as 288 Gatling.
The firecrackers, along with the declared cover cargo, were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Under the Foreign Trade Policy, the import of firecrackers is classified as "Restricted." Such shipments require a valid authorisation from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) as well as the requisite licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) under the Explosives Rules, 2008.
During the investigation, a key member of the syndicate accused of orchestrating and attempting the clandestine clearance of the goods was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962.
The operation, the agency said, reflects its continued focus on detecting misdeclaration and the clandestine import of restricted goods through commercial cargo channels.