In a major seizure ahead of Diwali, China-made fire crackers worth Rs nine crore have been seized here by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

The illegally imported fire crackers were seized from six big containers at Inland Container Depot in Tughlaqabad (ICD TKD).

The goods were misdeclared as medical equipment for handicapped/disabled persons and as bicycle parts, said Debi Prasad Dash, Principal Additional Director General of the DRI.

The market value of the seized fire crackers, which are of different brand names such as 'Leopard King', 'Pop Pop Snappers' etc, is around Rs nine crore, he said.

As per norms, the import of fire crackers is restricted. The fire crackers can be imported only against a license issued by the Chief Controller of Explosives.

During examination of the containers, DRI officers found a few cartons of bicycle saddle, bicycle iron baskets, steel wheel chairs, commode wheel chairs, walking sticks etc in the front portion of the containers behind which cartons of fire crackers were kept hidden to avoid detection by the customs officers.

The fire crackers had been imported by a Punjab-based importer allegedly using a dummy import-export code in connivance with a Delhi-based customs house agent (CHA). Both of them have been placed under arrest.