MESA, Ariz. — Mesa police have seized hundreds of prohibited fireworks this last week as the agency cracks down on illegal sale practices in the days leading up to the Fourth of July.
One of the seizures occurred on Wednesday near the 1200 block of North Mesa Drive after Mesa police found an online advertisement offering the sale of prohibited fireworks.
Investigators executed a search warrant in an apartment occupied by George Baber, 40, and seized 1,665 packages of illegal fireworks worth about $7,755. Mesa police also allegedly reported finding two AR-15 rifles in the residence.
According to court records, Baber has previously served time in prison and is prohibited from possessing firearms. Baber was charged with misdemeanor charges related to fireworks violations.
On June 24, Mesa police seized 129 prohibited fireworks worth about $4,000 from a smoke shop in the 300 block of West Brown.
Arizona law restricts when and what types of fireworks can be sold or used throughout the state.
Permitted consumer fireworks include:
- Sparklers
- Smoke devices
- Novelties
- Ground sparkling devices
- Sparkling wheel devices
- Ground-based sparklers
Prohibited consumer fireworks include:
- Sky rockets/bottle rockets
- Firecrackers
- Reloadable shell device/Roman candles
- Aerials
- Single tube device
More information on Mesa's fireworks rules can be found here.
Anyone with information on illegal firework sales or illegal firework use, please call the Mesa Police Department at 480-644-2211.
>> Live, local, breaking. Download the 12 News app
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on our 12 News YouTube playlist here.