MESA, Ariz. — Police in Arizona say they have seized around $12,000 worth of illegal fireworks from separate incidents over the last few weeks ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.

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The Mesa Police Department said in a news release that in the last two weeks they have seized thousands of dollars worth of illegal fireworks from two different locations in the Mesa area.

One of the incidents happened last Friday at a liquor and smoke shop. According to KNXV, police served a search warrant for the shop after they received an anonymous tip that the store was selling illegal fireworks. Police were able to remove about 130 prohibited fireworks from the store which cost about $4,000. Charges are pending, KNXV said.

The other incident happened on Wednesday when police seized over 1,600 packages of fireworks that cost about $7,700. According to KSAZ, undercover detectives were able to buy illegal fireworks from a location prior to serving a search warrant. Police also removed two AR-15 rifles.

George Barber, 40, was arrested and booked on recommended charges of misconduct involving weapons/prohibited possessor and misdemeanor charges regarding fireworks violations, according to police.

If you have any information about illegal fireworks sales or illegal fireworks use, call your local police department.

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