Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies Go Undercover to Bust Illegal Fireworks Sellers

LAKEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) — The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has already conducted more than 10 illegal fireworks busts in the past week, with more expected before the July 4 holiday ends.

Eyewitness News was in Lakewood on Monday for one of the operations, which resulted in the arrest of a man and woman who allegedly tried to sell fireworks to an undercover officer.

“Do not sell these fireworks,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Capt. Daniel Holguin. “Do not get involved in illegal fireworks. They are dangerous, they are bad for the community and if you try to sell them, you are probably going to get caught.”

Holguin said the two men arrested Monday each face a $2,000 fine.

And don't think that fireworks are fun and harmless.

Three years ago, the Los Angeles Police Department's bomb squad set off a massive explosion while trying to dispose of illegal fireworks. Seventeen people were injured and dozens of homes were damaged.

“The illegal fireworks that we see today are explosives, big explosives, mortars that go up in the air and that contain so much TNT powder that it can cause great damage to the individual,” Holguin said.