Sheriff’s operation nets illegal fireworks

San Jose woman one of two people arrested in San Mateo County

Authorities seized about 15,000 pounds of illegal fireworks and $1 million cash and arrested two people earlier this week, authorities said Friday.

San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Jennifer Nguyen, 54, of San Jose and Sam

San, 61, of San Francisco during a two-day execution of search warrants Wednesday and Thursday, Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mike Leishman said in a statement.

Nguyen and San are suspected of possession and selling dangerous fireworks in excess of 100 pounds, possession of dangerous fireworks in excess of more than 5,000 pounds and possession of an explosive device.

Charges have not been yet been filed formally by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives also served warrants in Santa Clara, Alameda and San

Francisco counties, Leishman said. Information about whether there were additional arrests was not available immediately.

According to Leishman, Crime Suppression Unit detectives from the Sheriff’s Office began to investigate a major distribution network of illegal fireworks and identified Nguyen and San as part of the operation, linking them to sales of the fireworks in San Mateo County.

Surveillance by the detectives also identified two residences and an Oakland warehouse as part of the operation, Leishman said. Detectives

then obtained the search warrants and began making arrests, Lieshman said.

All fireworks are illegal in nearly all of San Mateo County — safe-and-sane fireworks can be sold in Pacifica and San Bruno but not brought into other cities — and the Sheriff’s Office said there have been many complaints about their use this year.

Fines up to $1,000 can be issued in San Mateo County for using fireworks or hosting an event where they are used.