STATE POLICE DETECTIVES SEIZE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS
State Police Detectives assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal have been actively investigating the sale and/or possession of illegal fireworks in Connecticut.
State Police Detectives received information that illegal fireworks were being sold at 29 Stonington Road in Norwich. Detectives initiated a criminal investigation and responded to the Stonington Road location. At that site, State Police Detectives located and seized a large amount of sparklers/fireworks that are illegal to sell or possess in Connecticut.
In addition to the Norwich location, State Police Detectives also conducted checks of fireworks stands and stores in Berlin, Newington, Middletown and Portland. Illegal firework/sparkler product was seized from all of these locations.
The preliminary information uncovered by State Police Detectives indicates that the pyrotechnic mixture of the seized sparklers/firworks was not compliant with Connecticut State Law. The value of the illegal firework products seized by State Police is estimated at $500,000.
The State Police criminal investigation into the possession of these illegal fireworks is continuing. Connecticut State Police Detectives assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal will also continue to inspect all fireworks sales stands and stores in Connecticut. In addition, State Police Detectives will inspect for safety compliance professional fireworks shows scheduled in Connecticut for the July 4th celebration.
Connecticut residents are reminded that state law is clear, sparklers are legal if they contain less than 100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture. If the firework/sparkler item explodes or projects into the air, it is illegal in Connecticut. It is also important to remember that anyone under the age of 16 may NOT possess, purchase or utilize sparklers in the State of Connecticut.
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LT. J. Paul Vance
