Thoothukudi SIPCOT police arrested nine individuals, including a Thoothukudi TVK advocate wing functionary, in connection with stealing Chinese firecrackers that had been seized by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and kept in the symbolic custody of Customs department at the Container Freight station (CFS).
According to police, DRI officials had inspected cargo containers that arrived at V.O.C. Port in October, 2025 and found banned Chinese firecrackers concealed inside. The consignments were seized, sealed in a container and kept under safe custody at a CFS on Tiruchendur bypass road. During the time of seizure, the firecrackers’ estimated worth was ₹5 crores.
In May 2026, when DRI officials opened the container before a court for judicial proceedings to destroy them, they found several bags meant to contain firecrackers were empty.
Sources from the DRI told The Hindu that almost 80% of the seized firecrackers were stolen from the container.
Based on the complaint filed by the Manager of the CFS, the SIPCOT police registered a case under section BNS 314, 316(1) and launched an investigation.
The investigation revealed the alleged involvement of 9 persons identified as P. Jeyakrishnan, 30, T. Immanuel, 24, R. Anujith Johnson, 30, J. Anthony Rajesh Kumar, 42, K. Sakthivijay, 26, R. Govinthasamy, 45, J. Raja, 30, A. Jesu Dhas and M. Aadhi Nagalingam, 36, all currently residents of Thoothukudi. Of these five persons were arrested on Sunday and four persons were arrested on Monday.
Further investigations are under way.
Published – August 03, 2026 09:12 pm IST
