A flyer meant to spark sales led police straight to an illegal fireworks sale worth about $50,000.
A Wilmington resident gave police a flyer advertising a fireworks sale at 65 Industrial Way.
Fireworks in Massachusetts are illegal without licensing and certification. State law mandates that police seize any illegal fireworks they find — even those that were purchased lawfully in another state and then transported to Massachusetts. People who use or possess fireworks illegally can be fined, while those who sell illegal fireworks can be sentenced to jail.
Two men, a 56-year-old man from Nottingham, New Hampshire, and a 49-year-old man from Tewksbury, were selling the fireworks, police said.
Both men are expected to be summonsed to Woburn District Court to face a charge of sale/possession of fireworks, police said.
Police also found 70 unopened boxes of fireworks and 30 opened boxes of fireworks, worth an estimated $40,000 to $50,000.
Due to potential hazards posed by the fireworks, Wilmington Police contacted the Wilmington Fire Department, State Police Bomb Squad and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office for assistance. The State Police Bomb Squad took possession of all of the fireworks.
“Fireworks cause injuries and fires each year in Massachusetts, and we will not tolerate their sale or use here in Wilmington,” said Chief Joseph Desmond. “I want to thank the alert resident who brought this case to our attention, and the other agencies that helped us respond.”
Illegal fireworks have caused more than 200 serious injuries, over 500 fires and explosions and nearly $1 million in damages in Massachusetts alone over the past five years, the fire marshal’s office said in a press release.
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services maintains a continuously updated list of permitted fireworks displays throughout the summer, the fire marshal’s office said. To view the list and learn more about the dangers of illegal fireworks, visit the Fire Services Department’s website.
