Over 1,300-kg illegal firecrackers seized
The Delhi Police busted a supply chain of illegal firecrackers, seizing 1,323 kg of banned material from two godowns in Outer Delhi, officials said on Sunday.
On October 11, the police received a tip-off about the illegal firecracker racket operating in Baprola village.
The information was further corroborated through field sources, leading investigators to identify Manoj Kumar as the primary accused running the illegal trade in the area.
According to police officials, “Manoj Kumar has been actively involved in the distribution of banned firecrackers across Delhi since the Covid-induced lockdown.”
Following the tip-off, a police team conducted a raid at the godown in Baprola.
During the operation, a significant cache of illegal firecrackers was discovered, the police said.
Further interrogation of the driver, Sanjay Atri, revealed that illegal firecrackers were also being supplied to areas such as Prem Nagar and Kirari.
Acting on this information, the police conducted another raid at a godown located on the Main Majri Road, Roop Vihar, where additional illegal firecrackers were seized. Vipin Kumar, the owner of this godown, was also arrested during the operation.
“Manoj Kumar, a 40-year-old graduate, has been running this illegal business since the lockdown. In contrast, Atri is illiterate and has been supplying firecrackers for the past three years,” a police official said.
Meanwhile, Vipin Kumar, a Class X passout, has been involved in this illicit trade for three years, primarily operating in the Prem Nagar area.
Three arrested
- Manoj Kumar, a 40-year-old graduate, has been actively involved in the distribution of banned firecrackers across Delhi since the Covid-induced lockdown
- Driver Sanjay Atri, who is illiterate, has been supplying firecrackers for the past three years
- During interrogation, the duo revealed about another godown from where Vipin Kumar, the owner, was arrested