Overview
- County officials said Thursday that recent undercover sting operations and raids have recovered more than 3,000 pounds of illegal explosives and produced about 49 cited or arrested sellers.
- Deputies use social media to pose as buyers, arrange holdouts or pickups and then seize stockpiles during targeted arrests, a tactic authorities say makes sellers easier to find and the operations safer for officers.
- Officers report that people selling illegal fireworks often carry weapons, and deputies have recovered items such as firearms, Tasers, brass knuckles and bats during busts.
- Those caught have received administrative citations and fines of up to $5,000 and may face further criminal charges as prosecutors press cases ahead of the July 4 holiday.
- Officials warned that some illicit fireworks are far more powerful than legal consumer products, have caused severe injuries and home fires, and urged residents to report sales or suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers.