By Brett Callwood
Police seized approximately 75 tons, or 150,000 pounds, of illegal fireworks this week in Gardena, in what authorities are describing as the “largest single seizure of its kind in California history.”
As reported by ABC News, the bust happened on Saturday, June 22 at a warehouse on Vermont Avenue near 170th Street, “according to the CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Arson and Bomb Unit, which worked in collaboration with the Gardena Police Department.”
According to a statement released by the Gardena Police Department, the previous record was set in 2021 when 32 tons of fireworks were seized in a South Los Angeles warehouse.
“On June 21, 2024, while conducting fireworks enforcement, our Special Investigations Unit conducted an investigation that led them to a commercial warehouse in the 17000 block of Vermont Ave, where approximately 75 tons of fireworks were found,” the Gardena PD said. “To ensure community safety, representatives from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) – Office of the State Fire Marshall, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Los Angeles County Fire Department assisted in the inventory, assessment, and disposal of the fireworks. The estimated street value of these fireworks is approximately 7 to 10 million dollars.”
Those arrested for possession of explosives and various weapons charges are Alejandro Rodriguez, 44, of Wilmington; Natalie Navarro, 30, of Carson; and Daniel Gudino, 25, of Wilmington.
“This case is still being investigated, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will determine the final charges,” the police said.
Chief of Police Mike Saffell stated, “The Gardena Police Department is taking a zero-tolerance approach to enforcing fireworks laws. We continue to ask the public to help us in this effort to keep our community safe. When witnessing illegal fireworks, we ask our community to call (310)
323-7911. We want to thank the Hawthorne Police Department, CAL FIRE, ATF, and the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department for their assistance with this operation.”
For more information, contact the Gardena Police Department Public Information Officer Lt.
Christopher Cuff (310) 217-9636 or ccuff@gardenapd.org. The Gardena Police Department Special Investigations Unit is in the initial stages of this investigation. Contact Detective Joel Martinez at (310) 217-6193 if anyone has further information regarding this incident. The report number for the case is DR 24-3022.
