Undercover police responding to an Internet ad were led to a cache of illegal fireworks.
An undercover Costa Mesa police officer contacted the seller Wednesday and expressed interest in Roman candles, mortars and bottle rockets.
The investigator uncovered illegal explosives imported from China in two homes in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.
“It was virtually a van full,” Costa Mesa Sgt. Marty Carver said of the Newport Beach bust.
One man was booked for investigation of felony possession and sale of illegal fireworks and two others received misdemeanor citations.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 1, 2006. Read the original PDF.