Illegal fireworks found in home
A City Terrace man has been arrested after authorities raided his home and found almost 2,500 pounds of illegal fireworks, including nearly 2,000 black powder-filled M-80 explosives, officials said today.
George Stoner Carrera, 47, was arrested about 6:30 p.m. Thursday at his home in the 4400 block of Loren Avenue, authorities said.
He was booked on suspicion of possessing unlawful explosives, possessing a destructive device and felony transportation and sale of illegal and dangerous fireworks.
Arson investigator Scott Burnside of the Alhambra Fire Department, which initiated an investigation of Carrera after receiving a tip, said authorities used undercover operatives to buy fireworks from Carrera and obtain a search warrant for his home.
“This is a matter of public safety,” Burnside said. “I’ve worked every Fourth of July and every year I see fires.”
Carrera had stored the explosives throughout his house, and it took two large flatbed trucks to carry all the fireworks away, Burnside said.
The fireworks, which are illegal in California, have an estimated street value of at least $25,000 and were transported from Nevada, he said.
In California, M-80s are considered not merely fireworks but illegal explosive devices, and possession carries felony charges, Burnside said.
Carrera could face at least three felony and four misdemeanor charges, he said.
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