$2,000 worth of illegal fireworks confiscated in Las Cruces, 17 citations issued

Las Cruces fire, police and codes enforcement confiscated an estimated $2,000 worth of illegal fireworks and responded to several hundred calls related to fireworks during the 2015 season when vendors were allowed to sell their products.

The $2,000 worth of illegal fireworks confiscated included several prohibited for use or possession within city limits including aerial and ground audible devices.

No major injuries or fires related to the use of fireworks were reported locally.

A total of 412 fireworks-related calls, or complaints, were received and 17 citations were issued between June 20 and July 6. Legal fireworks were allowed to be sold within city limits between those dates.

In 2014, there were 436 fireworks-related complaints surrounding the Fourth of July season. An estimated $2,500 worth of illegal fireworks were confiscated within city limits and 15 citations were issued last year.

Fireworks illegal within city limits include aerial spinners, helicopters, mines, missile-type rockets, Roman candles, shells, stick-type rockets, chasers and firecrackers.

Illegal fireworks confiscated by fire, police and codes enforcement will eventually be turned over for destruction by the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad.