On June 29th, 2021 the Hawthorne Police Department assisted a taskforce consisting of agents from LA County Fire, US Coastguard, Customs, and ATF in serving a search warrant for a storage unit in the 14600 block of Aviation Blvd. This unit was suspected of containing a large cache of illegal fireworks. We assisted with the service of the search warrant which yielded 440 pounds of illegal fireworks.
Following that seizure, HPD officers and task force agents moved to a residence in the city of Hawthorne related to ownership of the storage locker. The residents there agreed to allow task force agents to recover an additional 218 pounds of illegal fireworks from this location, bringing the grand total for the day to 658 pounds of illegal and dangerous fireworks seized.
Aside from the probable sale of illegal fireworks, the residents at the home admitted they were planning on putting on a huge fireworks show for the 4th of July. This would have no doubt generated radio calls and complaints from our area residents.
Several agents on the taskforce were contacted by residents in the area who relayed their thanks and appreciation for stopping what had become a yearly nuisance and danger to everyone in the area.
The Hawthorne Police Department will continue to work with the community to minimize the danger of illegal fireworks.
If you believe there is an illegal fireworks operation in your area, please contact the Hawthorne Police Department Fireworks Hotline at (310) 349-2745.
