Aqaba customs department seizes two containers of fireworks

AMMAN — The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Customs Department seized two firework containers in the past two days after traders attempted to smuggle them into the Kingdom, ASEZA Customs Director Col. Sari Jaradin said on Thursday. 

Jaradin said the first container was filled with 902 cartons of fireworks, while the second one was loaded with 400 cartons. 

"These are the first two containers [of fireworks] we have seized since the beginning of this year," he told The Jordan Times over the phone.  

The ASEZA official said the goods were transferred to the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army to be destroyed, while the traders who attempted to smuggle them were referred to court. 

The import of fireworks into the Kingdom is considered dangerous to society and public safety and has been banned by the government since 2009, except these imported for public agencies.

Jaradin said the department seized nine containers in 2015. 

"We call on people not to buy from these traders and we ask the merchants to stop dealing in these items because they are dangerous," he added. 

Many Jordanians complain about the noise produced by fireworks and firecrackers, which sometimes used to spark fights between families and neighbours. 

The most serious accident in the Kingdom caused by fireworks took place at the Jordan Customs Department yards last year, where a "huge" fire erupted after two containers of fireworks exploded, killing seven people and injuring 12 others.

Traders selling fireworks and firecrackers, as well as pellet guns, face four months in prison and a fine of up to JD5,000.