California Police Take Down Massive Illegal Fireworks Operation

A California task force comprised of undercover officers and bomb squad personnel seized approximately 14,000 pounds of illegal fireworks — including aerial mortars, Roman candles and various other types of illegal fireworks and destructive devices.

The operation was a combined effort consisting of personnel from the Manteca Police Department, the Stockton Police Department, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office as part of a county wide task force addressing the ongoing issues related to illegal fireworks.

Police say that 40-year-old Steven Clark was arrested for various felony charges “including possession of a destructive device, possession of a destructive device near a school, advertising for illegal fireworks sales and possession of illegal fireworks for sale (in excess of 5,000 pounds),” the Stockton Police Department said in a Facebook post .