(KRON) — An Oakland man who was arrested for allegedly selling illegal fireworks online was found to have more than 4,000 pounds of fireworks in his vehicle and residence, said the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
ACSO said the investigation began when a detective came across an Instagram account advertising “dangerous fireworks” for sale.
ACSO said the account’s operator was identified through search warrants and undercover operations, and on Tuesday, surveillance teams were set up at the suspect’s residence on 50th Avenue in Oakland.
“After watching him load fireworks into his vehicle for a planned sale, units stopped his vehicle and detained him,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media post Thursday. “A subsequent search of his vehicle and a backyard shed uncovered 4,300 pounds of illegal, dangerous fireworks, some of which were classified as destructive devices. Our Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team took custody of the items for safe destruction.”
Photo: Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said the suspect admitted to selling fireworks at the time of his arrest.
Photo: Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities added, “As the 4th of July approaches, remember that all fireworks, including safe and sane fireworks, are illegal in Unincorporated Alameda County. We actively investigate illegal fireworks usage and sales, and social hosts will be held accountable for events where guests possess or use them.”
Anyone who is suspicious of similar illegal firework activity is strongly encouraged to report violations at (510) 667-7721.
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