4 tons of illegal fireworks seized in south Sacramento after social media post tip

Jonathan Ponce
·3 min read
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Sacramento sheriff’s deputies discovered nearly 8,000 pounds of illegal fireworks Thursday after executing a search warrant based on a tip in south Sacramento.

In addition to the illegal pyrotechnics found inside the Vineyard home, deputies seized five firearms and $20,000 that deputies said may have been connected to the sales of the fireworks.

According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, deputies executed a search warrant at a home on the 6300 block of Emory Court, a cul-de-sac near Gerber and Waterman roads. The Sheriff’s Office’s special enforcement detail acted on a tip deputies and Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District officials received, they said. The anonymous tip by “concerned citizens” said that a resident of the home was selling illegal fireworks after finding an advertisement posted on social media.

After obtaining the warrant, SED deputies descended on the home and found the cache of out-of-state and foreign fireworks with names such as “Burning for You,” “Wings of Fire” and beer bottles of gun powder and other explosives labeled “Storm Chaser,” “Big Bang Beery” and “Willow Torpedo.” A photo shared by deputies and Metro Fire showed one truck filled with contraband, including pyrotechnics manufactured in China.

In addition to the fireworks, weapons and cash “believed to be the sales of illegal fireworks,” deputies identified and arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with the raid. The man was booked and released from the Sacramento County Main Jail, according to jail records. Deputies said the suspect was expected to be arraigned Monday.

Throughout California, legal fireworks are called “Safe and Sane” fireworks and they are identified with the State Fire Marshall’s seal, according to Metro Fire. Any firework that blasts into the air or explodes is considered illegal.

In Sacramento County, safe and sane fireworks can only be used and sold from noon June 28 to midnight July 4.

Other counties

Other counties may have other rules regarding fireworks, so be sure to check your local guidelines.

For example:

Report illegal fireworks

If you think someone in your neighborhood is using illegal fireworks, you can call or reach out to local enforcement: