A trader in Northern Ireland was ordered today to ship 165 tonnes of fireworks back to China and destroy another consignment after police raided a secret store.
Mr Albert Baxter, of Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, was told he must get rid of £2.5 million sterling worth of supplies as part of a court settlement.
He also has to pay more than £21,000 in transportation costs. The tough penalties were immediately welcomed as a breakthrough by police and industry experts pressing for tighter controls.
Twelve container loads of fireworks destined for the Halloween market were discovered by police in August at a fuel yard in Broughshane, Co Antrim.
Mr Paul Kelly, of the Northern Ireland Fireworks Association, said tonight: "There needs to be a paper chase for all fireworks right from leaving China to when they end up here.
"To store them near oil or petroleum is absolutely crazy." Officers were shocked the supplies were being kept so close to gallons of flammable liquid.
The pyrotechnics, which cost £87,000 but were worth £2.5 million on the streets, were immediately confiscated.
Mr Baxter had fought to have all 170 tonnes impounded returned to him. But following a hearing today at Antrim County Court, sitting in Ballymena, his legal representatives accepted the terms of the forfeiture order.