San Jose police seize 3,300-plus pounds of illegal fireworks

SAN JOSE – A pair of operations targeting the illegal sale and possession of fireworks in San Jose resulted in multiple arrests, as well as the seizure of more than 3,300 pounds of illegal fireworks and other destructive devices, according to authorities.

Officers carried out the operations in anticipation of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, San Jose police Sgt. Jorge Garibay said in a statement Friday, adding that the efforts were aimed at reducing fire risk and unlawful activity throughout the city.

In the first sting, officers posed as buyers to identify sellers of commercial-grade fireworks and destructive devices, and on June 16, they served a search warrant at a storage facility in the 200 block of West Capitol Expressway, according to Garibay.

Officers seized 1,320 pounds of “dangerous fireworks and explosives,” Garibay said. A 26-year-old San Jose man was also arrested and booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges related to the possession, sale and transportation of illegal fireworks and destructive devices.

The second operation took place on June 23 in the 200 block of San Antonio Court and in the 2700 block of Tanglewood Drive. Garibay said officers “executed a series of coordinated search warrants,” which resulted in the seizure of more than 2,000 pounds of illegal fireworks and more than 50 improvised explosive devices.

Officers also seized a short-barreled AR-style rifle with a 3D-printed lower receiver, a second AR-style rifle, and a “substantial quantity” of rifle and handgun ammunition, according to Garibay.

A pair of San Jose men – ages 52 and 31 – was arrested and booked into county jail on charges related to the possession of illegal fireworks and destructive devices.

Enforcement efforts will continue in the coming days, Garibay said, adding that police will also use drones to help identify locations where illegal fireworks are being set off. Property owners, he said, may be subject to administrative fines of up to $100,000.

Residents can report illegal fireworks by using the San Jose 311 app, which is available on most smartphones, or by visiting 311.sanjoseca.gov, according to Garibay.