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Officials Cracking Down On Online Fireworks Sales

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Police and firefighters are on the hunt for illegal fireworks sales as the Fourth of July approaches, and officials are warning residents to avoid buying fireworks online.

Many buyers may be unaware that it is illegal to sell any type of fireworks online, but authorities said any buyers or sellers could face up to $1,000 or a year in jail for most violations.

A number of advertisements posted Friday on Craigslist and other websites touted a wide range of fireworks for sale, and CAL FIRE is working with law enforcement agencies to track down the sellers.

"It's actually against the law through the internet, and that's regardless if they're illegal fireworks or safe-and-sane fireworks," said CAL FIRE spokesperson Daniel Berlant. "Last year alone we netted about 80,000 pounds of illegal fireworks."

Serious violations could cause the fines to skyrocket up to $50,000, authorities said.

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