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News Article:

DRI Busts Illegal Chinese Firecracker Smuggling Ring, Seizes ₹5 Crore in Thoothukudi

Thoothukudi, October 19, 2025: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Thoothukudi has cracked down on a major smuggling operation, seizing ₹5 crore worth of illegally imported Chinese firecrackers. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.

The seizures occurred on Tuesday, October 14th and Wednesday, October 15th, at a container freight station in Thoothukudi. DRI officials discovered the contraband hidden within containers, falsely declared as engineering tools and carts. The illicit cargo, originating from Ningbo port in China, was valued at ₹2.5 crore per seizure, totaling ₹5 crore.

Following an investigation, the DRI apprehended four individuals on Friday, October 17th, who were attempting to retrieve the smuggled goods. The arrested have been identified as J. Michael Jacob (36) of Mumbai and Thoothukudi, J. Soosai Manikkam (43) of Thoothukudi, Vikas Dubey (53) and M. Dhasharath Kokhre (43) of Mumbai. Mr. Jacob is suspected of setting up a local business solely to acquire import/export codes to facilitate the smuggling.

The accused were presented before a Judicial Magistrate in Thoothukudi on Friday and have been remanded to judicial custody at the Central Prison in Palayamkottai. The seized firecrackers have been handed over to the Thoothukudi Customs Department. Further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the smuggling network.

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