75 Tons of Fireworks Seized in One of State’s Largest Busts

INCIDENT DATE/TIME: 6-22-24 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 17000 S Vermont Ave
AREA/CITY: Gardena
DETAILS:

The Gardena Police Department would like to announce the successful seizure of over 75 tons
of fireworks. This is the largest single seizure in recent California history, surpassing the previous
record set in 2021 when 32 tons of fireworks were seized in a South Los Angeles warehouse.
On June 21, 2024, while conducting fireworks enforcement, our Special Investigations Unit
conducted an investigation that led them to a commercial warehouse in the 17000 block of
Vermont Ave, where approximately 75 tons of fireworks were found.
To ensure community safety, representatives from the California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection (CAL FIRE) – Office of the State Fire Marshall, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Los Angeles County Fire Department assisted in the
inventory, assessment, and disposal of the fireworks.
The estimated street value of these fireworks is approximately 7 to 10 million dollars.
Alejandro Rodriguez, 44, of Wilmington; Natalie Navarro, 30, of Carson; and Daniel Gudino, 25,
of Wilmington, were arrested for possession of explosives and various weapons charges.
This case is still being investigated, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will
determine the final charges.
Chief of Police Mike Saffell stated, “The Gardena Police Department is taking a zero-tolerance
approach to enforcing fireworks laws. We continue to ask the public to help us in this effort to
keep our community safe. When witnessing illegal fireworks, we ask our community to call (310)
323-7911. We want to thank the Hawthorne Police Department, CAL FIRE, ATF, and the San
Bernardino Sheriff’s Department for their assistance with this operation.”

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