Delhi: Over 1,300 kg illegal firecrackers seized, 3 nabbed in police operation

New Delhi [India], October 14 (ANI): Three people were arrested and over 1,300 kilograms of illegal firecrackers were seized in an operation by Delhi Police across two places in the national capital.
The three accused were identified as Manoj Kumar, Sanjay Atri and Vipin Kumar.
The crime branch of Delhi police busted the supply chain of illegal firecrackers trade in different areas of Delhi and seized 1,323 kg of banned crackers from two godowns.
The owner of both the godowns and the driver who used to supply the illicit firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region were arrested. The police have also registered a case under section 288 BNS and 9B of Explosive Act-1884.
The police had received input regarding a racket of illegal firecrackers trade in Village Baprola, Outer Delhi.
"The information was further developed through field sources. It was revealed that accused Manoj Kumar was running an illegal trade of banned firecrackers in Village Baprola, Delhi and used to supply illegal firecrackers all over Delhi," police said.
Subsequently, acting on the tip, a raid was conducted at the godown in Village Baprola and a huge quantity of illegal firecrackers was recovered from the spot.
According to the police, Manoj Kumar and driver Sanjay Atri, the driver of the offending vehicle who used to supply the illegal firecrackers across Delhi were nabbed first.
During interrogation, the accused driver of the offending vehicle revealed that he used to supply the banned firecrackers in the area of Prem Nagar, and Kirari areas and hence on his instance, a raid was also conducted at a godown situated at Main Majri Road, Roop Vihar, Mubarakpur Dabas, Kirari, Delhi.
A huge cache of illegal firecrackers was recovered from there and the owner of the godown, Vipin Kumar was also arrested.
A total of 1,323 kg of illegal firecrackers were recovered during the entire operation, the police stated.
Further investigation is underway in the case.
Earlier in September, a man was arrested for allegedly smuggling 65 kg of illegal fireworks into the national capital ahead of Diwali, police said.
Notably, the Delhi government has imposed a complete ban on the production, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers in the national capital to address air pollution during the winter. The ban will remain in effect until January 1, 2025. (ANI)