Overview

• DRI teams intercepted two containers at Tuticorin on October 14 and 15, uncovering misdeclared Chinese firecrackers valued at Rs 5.01 crore.
• The consignments held 83,520 pieces concealed beneath aluminium sheets and cover cargo including silicon sealant guns.
• Four men — J. Michael Jacob, J. Soosai Manikkam, Vikas Dubey and M. Dhasharath Kokhre — were arrested in coordinated operations through October 18 and remanded to judicial custody.
• Officials report the shipment arrived from Ningbo, China, with invoices describing engineering goods to evade licensing and safety rules.
• The contraband was handed to Thoothukudi Customs, and under Operation Fire Trail authorities are pursuing an additional Mumbai-based suspect and mapping the supply chain.