Police Seize Tons of Illegal Fireworks Across California, Nevada Ahead of July 4

As the Fourth of July approaches, law enforcement agencies across California and Nevada are intensifying crackdowns on illegal fireworks to ensure public safety. In Las Vegas, the Metropolitan Police Department seized nearly 5,000 pounds of illegal fireworks and issued 56 citations over a recent weekend, emphasizing that only "Safe & Sane" fireworks sold by authorized nonprofits are legal. Similarly, California agencies have confiscated massive quantities, including over 1,000,000 pounds in Los Angeles County and nearly 2,000 pounds in Northern California, with arrests made and ongoing investigations targeting illegal importers and distributors. Authorities warn that illegal fireworks pose serious risks such as fires, injuries, air pollution, and disruptions to vulnerable populations like veterans and pets, with fines ranging from $500 to $10,000 depending on the quantity involved. Public safety campaigns encourage residents to report illegal fireworks through designated websites to aid law enforcement planning, though such reports do not trigger immediate police response. Collaborations between police, fire departments, and federal agencies continue to focus on preventing dangerous fireworks use during the holiday to protect communities.