During the month of June, members of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Bomb Squad, AGNET, Community Car units worked with the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office to put together a task force aimed at the sale and use of illegal fireworks. In California, any fireworks that explode, fly in the air, or move in an uncontrolled manner are illegal to possess, sell, or use.

These illegal fireworks are responsible for fires, injuries, and property damage, and can come with a penalty of up to a year in jail, and a fine of up to $50,000.

Throughout June, ahead of the July 4 holiday, the Fireworks Task Force has sent 27 individual cases to the DA’s office in connection with the operation. Also, authorities collected nearly 3,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, eight handguns (one reported stolen), one rifle with no serial numbers, 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine, an ounce of cocaine, 77 mature marijuana plants in an illegal grow, 37 pounds of processed marijuana, 87 pre-rolls (marijuana cigarettes), 22.5 pounds of illegal marijuana edibles, and three pounds of cannabis wax.

The Fireworks Task Force continued working through July 4 in the crackdown on the illegal use of fireworks.