Crime & Safety

Craigslist Ad Leads Police to Cache of Dangerous, Illegal Fireworks in Newport Beach

A 15-year-old Newport Beach boy was detained in connection with the discovery.

Newport Beach police and arson investigators from Los Angeles discovered more than 51 pounds of illegal -- and in some cases extremely dangerous -- fireworks in two local homes Sunday.

In connection with the discovery, a 15-year-old resident of Newport Beach was detained and then released to his parents.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department recently shut down an illegal fireworks manufacturer in Glendora. During the course of the investigation, officials discovered a Craigslist ad for similar, illegal fireworks for sale in the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa area, according to a NBPD press release.

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Undercover L.A. investigators arranged for a “buy-and-bust” operation Sunday, “supported by the Newport Beach Police Department, the Newport Beach Fire Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s bomb squad,” the news release says.

More than 51 pounds of illegal fireworks was found in a home on King’s Road and even more at a house on Residencia. Among the devices found were two M-80s, four M-1000s (also known as “quarter sticks”) and 20 M-5000s (also known as “half sticks”).

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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives describes the devices in this way:

  • M‑80s are usually 5/8” inches in diameter and loaded with approximately 3 grams of explosive mixture.  An M-80 can cause damage to fingers, hands, and eyes.  
  • M-1000s are usually 1 1/2” inches in diameter and loaded with 25-30 grams of explosive mixture.  The M-1000’s risk factor is listed as “extremely severe injuries to body, has caused death.”  
  • M‑5000s are much larger and more destructive than M-1000s and are extremely dangerous.

All three can be seen in the Craigslist ad photo, attached to this story. 


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