Mesa police seize large amounts of illegal fireworks valued at nearly $12K

Mesa police said they seized a large number of illegal fireworks from two different locations in the past two weeks.

The first seizure occurred near Mesa Drive and Brown Road on Wednesday.

George Baber, 40, was arrested after police say he sold illegal fireworks to a detective. Mesa police said they served a search warrant and found 1,665 packages of fireworks valued at over $7,700 and two AR-15 rifles.

Baber faces charges of misconduct involving weapons and prohibited possessor and various misdemeanors, according to arrest documents.

Another seizure took place on June 24 at a liquor and smoke shop near Brown Road and Central Street. Mesa police said they received an anonymous tip that illegal fireworks were being sold at the store.

Undercover detectives went to the store and bought illegal fireworks, police said. Later they served a search warrant and seized 129 packages of fireworks valued at about $4,000.

There are pending charges against the store owner, according to Mesa police.

Fireworks were safely stored after being seized. The use of prohibited fireworks is illegal and extremely dangerous, police said.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mesa police seize illegal fireworks valued at nearly $12K