More than 120,000 pounds of illegal fireworks were seized in Los Angeles’ South Bay area in one of the largest fireworks busts in state history, authorities said.
The stockpile of fireworks was so large that the Cal Fire bomb squad was called in to assist local police.
Several people were arrested during the raids early Saturday morning, according to a joint statement from the Gardena Police Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Arson and Bomb Unit, whose exact locations were not disclosed.
Some of the fireworks were up to eight inches in diameter (roughly the size of a bowling ball). More than 2,000 illegal destructive devices and a 10-pound smuggling load of homemade explosives were also seized.
Due to the ongoing criminal investigation, no other information about the seized items has been released. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Cal Fire Bomb Unit at arsonbomb@fire.ca.gov.
Last year, Los Angeles police seized 38,000 pounds of illegal fireworks from a warehouse in South Los Angeles.
The attack came two years after Los Angeles police officers attempted to detonate a cache of fireworks in a South Los Angeles neighborhood, injuring 17 people, damaging 35 buildings and forcing the evacuation of dozens of residents.
As Independence Day approaches, Cal Fire is reminding the public that it is illegal to sell, transport, or use fireworks that are not marked “Safe and Sound.” Fireworks may not be set off in areas where they are prohibited. Violators of fireworks laws could face up to one year in prison and fines of up to $50,000 if convicted, depending on the charge.
