New Delhi: The Delhi Police has launched a major crackdown on a large consignment of illegal firecrackers that could have posed a serious threat during the festive season. The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) team of the Outer North District intercepted a large consignment of firecrackers being transported from Haryana towards Delhi via the UER-2 Bawana route.
Police stopped two vehicles and recovered around 1,350 kg of illegal firecrackers. As the investigation progressed, police traced the consignment to a warehouse in Alipur, where another 751 kg of firecrackers was recovered. In the entire operation, approximately 2,101 kg of illegal firecrackers were seized.
Two Vehicles Stopped on Road, Warehouse Uncovered
Outer North District DCP Shobhit D. Saxena said the AHTU/Outer North District team received specific information that a large quantity of firecrackers was being brought to Delhi from Haryana.
After verifying the information and informing senior officers, the police team strategically deployed personnel along the identified route on UER-2 in Bawana. As the suspected vehicles arrived, the team surrounded and stopped two Tata Ace vehicles.
During the search, approximately 1,350 kg of illegal firecrackers were recovered from the two vehicles. The drivers of both vehicles were apprehended.
Police then expanded the investigation beyond the vehicles to identify the source of the consignment and its intended storage location.
Second Firecracker Storage Site Found in Alipur
During questioning and further investigation, police received information about another storage facility in the Alipur area.
The AHTU team subsequently raided a warehouse at Jeet Farm House, near ZMH Chowk, Alipur. During the search, approximately 751 kg of additional firecrackers were recovered.
According to police, the material was found in the possession of Manoj Kumar, 34. With this recovery, the total quantity of illegal firecrackers seized from the vehicles and warehouse reached approximately 2,101 kg.
Three People Apprehended
Police have apprehended three people in the operation:
Amit Gupta, 42, a resident of Bindapur, Uttam Nagar, who was driving one of the Tata Ace vehicles.
Sunil, 42, also a resident of Bindapur, Uttam Nagar, who was driving the second Tata Ace vehicle.
Manoj Kumar, 34, a resident of Tilak Nagar, who was apprehended in connection with the firecrackers recovered from the warehouse.
Police have also seized both Tata Ace vehicles allegedly used to transport the firecrackers.
FIR Registered, Investigation into Entire Network Underway
An FIR, No. 549/26, dated October 2, 2026, has been registered at NIA Police Station under Sections 223(b)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 9(b) of the Explosives Act.
The investigation is underway. Police are now probing the entire illegal firecracker network, including where the firecrackers were purchased, who their actual owner is, where they were intended to be delivered, and who else may have been involved in their transportation, storage and distribution.
Operation Conducted Under Senior Officers’ Supervision
The entire operation was conducted under the guidance of Additional DCP-I, Outer North District, Lokeshwaran R.K., and under the supervision of ACP/AHTU Shyam Sunder.
The operation was led by Inspector Pramod Kumar, In-charge, AHTU Outer North District.
The team included SI Sanjeet, SI Jagbir, ASI Siddharth Chhillar, ASI Sanjay, ASI Mahesh, Head Constable Amit, Head Constable Sandeep and Head Constable Rakesh.
Delhi Police Appeals to Citizens to Stay Away from Illegal Firecrackers
The Delhi Police has appealed to citizens not to purchase, store, transport or use unauthorised or illegal firecrackers.
Police have also urged people to immediately inform the authorities if they come across any information regarding the storage or transportation of illegal firecrackers.
According to police, action against the storage, transportation and distribution of illegal firecrackers will continue during the festive season to ensure a safe and peaceful environment across the national capital.
