Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - An embedded investigator with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office helped to uncover a gargantuan cache of fireworks at two locations in Azusa June 27.

One person was detained and 14,000 pounds of fireworks were seized during the operation led by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Azusa Police Department.

An illegal firearm and more than $10,000 in cash were also seized, according to Ricardo Santiago of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

“By embedding our prosecutors and investigators in the communities that we serve, we were able to secure valuable information that led to the safe removal of thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks from an Azusa neighborhood,” District Attorney Gascón said. “I am grateful that we could assist local law enforcement in protecting this community from the potential dangers posed by illegal fireworks.”

The fireworks seized were being stored at a home and a storage facility in Azusa. Twenty-seven homes were evacuated while the explosives were safely recovered and disposed, Santiago said in a written statement.

The investigator is part of the DA’s new Community Violence Reduction Division.

It is not publicly clear if the detained person will face arrest.

AZUSA – Authorities destroyed nearly one ton of fireworks stashed on a residential property Monday after a search warrant revealed the contraband.

26 homes near the scene in the 900 block of West Hollyvale Street were evacuated as a precaution while tactical bomb techs with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department worked to render the fireworks safe, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Residents one block south from the scene along West Third Street were affected as well.

Investigators located 1,700 pounds of fireworks at the residence, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau.

A search warrant was served in the 900 block of West Hollyvale Street June 27, the result of an investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County Fire Department Arson Unit.

The Azusa Police Department made a public announcement at 3:20 p.m. about evacuations taking place. By 8:46 p.m., residents on Third Street were finally allowed back home while. By 10:17 p.m., all evacuations were lifted, allowing residents on Hollyvale Street and Virginia Avenue to return home.

SGV CityWatch is trying to confirm with the DA’s office if any arrests were made and to confirm media reports indicating that an additional stash of fireworks was located in nearby Irwindale.