Watsonville Police rounded up nearly 1,000 pounds of illegal fireworks after they uncovered a group of people—including a teenager—suspected of selling dangerous fireworks in Watsonville and across Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties.
Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said an investigation led them to a home in Hollister, where the fireworks were being stored, along with an illegal assault rifle and half a kilo of cocaine.
The case is ongoing and will be forwarded to the Sana Cruz Couny tDistrict Attorney’s office for prosecution.
“This major bust highlights the importance of our fireworks enforcement efforts and how important your help is in keeping our neighborhoods safe by reporting illegal fireworks,” Pulido said.
According to Watsonville Police, anyone caught with illegal fireworks faces a fine of $1,000 per violation. Property owners and tenants can be cited.
Pulido said that the WPD Drone Team is watching, and that citations can be issued even without officers on site.
Report tips at 471-1151.
Good job police. So tired of the illegal fireworks scaring my dog and we don’t need these kinds of guns and drugs in our communities.