New Delhi, Oct. 19 -- In a proactive effort to counter the illegal import of firecrackers ahead of Diwali, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in continuation of 'Operation Fire Trail', intercepted two 40-foot containers at Tuticorin Port.

According to an official release from the Ministry of Finance, these containers were found to contain 83,520 pieces of Chinese firecrackers, mis-declared as engineering goods. The contraband, valued at Rs 5.01 crore, was seized along with cover cargo of silicon sealant guns.

During coordinated operations from October 14-18, DRI officers apprehended the importer at Tuticorin and, based on investigation, arrested three other individuals (including two Mumbai-based persons) from Chennai and Tu...