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News18
20 hours ago
- News18
DRI Seizes Chinese Firecrackers Worth Rs 35 Crore In Major Crackdown, 1 Arrested
Last Updated: DRI Mumbai seized Chinese firecrackers worth Rs 35 crore in 'Operation Fire Trail.' The illegal imports were intercepted at Nhava Sheva, Mundra, and Kandla SEZ. In a massive crackdown against illegal imports, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has seized Chinese firecrackers worth approximately Rs 35 crore. The recovery was made as a part of the operation codenamed 'Operation Fire Trail'. The crackdown led to the interception of seven containers of these crackers at Nhava Sheva Port, Mundra Port, and Kandla SEZ. The firecrackers, weighing around 100 metric tonnes, were illicitly imported under false declarations, disguised as goods like 'Mini Decorative Plants," 'Artificial Flowers," and 'Plastic Mats." The imports were routed through a KASEZ (Kandla Special Economic Zone) unit and several IEC (Importer Exporter Code) holders, with an intent to divert the consignments into the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA). A key individual, a partner in the SEZ unit, was identified as the mastermind behind the operation and has been arrested. He has been remanded to judicial custody by the court. Under India's Foreign Trade Policy, firecracker imports are classified as 'Restricted' and require license from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), as per Explosive Rules 2008. Firecrackers and fireworks contain banned and hazardous chemicals like red lead, copper oxide, and lithium. Due to their explosive nature, such consignments pose a major threat to public safety, port infrastructure, and the broader logistics network. This carefully coordinated operation reflects DRI's strong commitment to curbing smuggling activities and protecting national security. By intercepting these dangerous goods, the agency has averted risks of accidental explosions and serious disruptions to the supply chain. The DRI continues to strengthen its vigilance to dismantle illicit smuggling rackets that undermine Exim trade ecosystem. view comments First Published: July 12, 2025, 10:14 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DRI arrests 2 in Rs 60 crore luxury furniture import scam in Mumbai
MUMBAI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, arrested two directors of an import firm for their alleged involvement in the gross undervaluation of luxury furniture imports amounting to Rs 60 crore and evasion of various duties worth over Rs 20 crore. The DRI arrested Rizwan Iqbal Chunawala (49), the proprietor of Design Decode, and Sajid Hanif Jada (44), the ICE holder of Design Decode, under the Customs Act. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials launched an investigation into M/s Design Decode, an importer operating under Importer Exporter Code, which allegedly consistently undervalued branded luxury furniture consignments imported from overseas suppliers since September 2021. During searches conducted at multiple premises, including the operational address of M/s Design Decode at Laxmi Industrial Estate, Andheri, officers recovered incriminating documents. The recovered documents pointed towards systematic undervaluation and document manipulation aimed at evading customs duty, Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST), and Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS). Since its inception, the importer imported consignments via 392 bills of entry amounting to a declared value of Rs 24 crore, whose actual value is worth ₹60 crore, resulting in huge evasion of import duties of Rs 20 crore, including customs duty, IGST, and SWS. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Truque caseiro eficaz contra o bigode chinês (faça hoje mesmo) Notícias | Beleza | Mulher Saiba Mais Undo Chunawala admitted that M/s Design Decode was essentially a front created to import goods on behalf of Defurn Furniture Studio. He acknowledged being fully aware of the undervaluation scheme and confessed to playing an active role for personal financial gains. Jada also admitted his role in managing the warehouses where the undervalued imports were stored before delivery. The DRI revealed that since its inception, M/s Design Decode imported 392 consignments with substantially undervalued invoices. Based on re-determined valuations, the total value of the imports is estimated at ₹60 crore, against which duties amounting to approximately Rs 20 crore were evaded.
