A California man was arrested Saturday for attempting to sell 1,800 pounds of illegal fireworks from his home via Facebook, police said.
A Department of Justice Task Force, comprised of Salinas police, Monterey County sheriff's deputies, and California Highway Patrol officers, discovered a Facebook posting in which a person was attempting to sell large quantities of illegal fireworks.
An undercover officer contacted the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Daniel Escatel Alcocer, through Facebook and made a deal to purchase the fireworks from him at his Salinas home.
The undercover officer met with the suspect at his home in the unit block of Towt Street, about a block from El Sausal Middle School.
Alcocer led the undercover officer to a large shed in the backyard where the fireworks were displayed, police said.
As soon as the undercover officer purchased the fireworks, additional officers arrived at the scene to arrest Alcocer.
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Fire officials took possession of the fireworks, which consisted of both small explosives and aerial fireworks, according to police.
The fireworks weighed about 1,800 pounds and were valued at about $20,000, police said.
Alcocer was booked into the Monterey County Jail for several misdemeanors and felonies related to possession and sales of illegal fireworks.
Information on a lawyer for Alcocer was not immediately available.
