75 tons of illegal fireworks seized in largest bust in California history

LOS ANGELES - It's being called one of the largest firework seizures in California history… Gardena Police and Cal Fire seized over 75 tons of illegal fireworks during a single operation.

According to the police department, several arrests were made early Saturday morning after investigators discovered over 2,000 illegal destructive devices and 10 pounds of bulk homemade explosives.

Officials said this was the state's largest illegal firework seizure, topping the 32 tons that were seized in 2021 in South Los Angeles.

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The seized fireworks have an estimated value of $7 million to $10 million.

Investigators located the stash at a commercial warehouse in the 17000 block of Vermont Avenue on Friday. 

Investigators identified the three suspects as 44-year-old Alejandro Rodriguez of Wilmington, 30-year-old Natalie Navarro of Carson, and 25-year-old Daniel Gudino of Wilmington, who were all arrested and booked on suspicion of possession of explosives and other various weapons violation offenses.

Cal Fire determined the boxes of explosives were stable and took them to an undisclosed location in San Bernardino. Sources told FOX 11 the explosives will be destroyed over the next four years.

In late May, an illegal fireworks stash was found in a separate incident. 

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City News Service contributed to this report