Over 400 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Seized in Syracuse, 5 Arrested

Police are cracking down on illegal fireworks in Central New York. A check of 73 convenience stores resulted in more than 400 pounds of fireworks being seized in Syracuse and 5 people arrested.

The 3-day detail ended in:

• 5 Arrests for possession of illegal fireworks
• 435 pounds of fireworks seized
• 21 Uniform Traffic Tickets were issued in areas of Fireworks complaints
• 1 Misdemeanor Drug Arrest
• 1 Felony Fugitive from justice arrest following a traffic stop
• 8 calls for service responded to for fireworks complaints

The following individuals were arrested for Unlawful Possession of Fireworks:

• Ahmed H. Klharrk, age 19 from Sham Market 1215 Lodi Street
• Isam I. Deb, age 51 from Debs Market 613 Wolf Street
• Mohamed M. Alzokari, age 19 from Teal Market 825 Teal Ave

During the course of the investigation New York State Police and Syracuse Police, became aware of a someone selling illegal fireworks from a private residence at 1425 Burnet Avenue. Surveillance ended with two subjects arrested for possession of Fireworks within that residence:

• Eric K. Stoddard, age 51 from 1425 Burnet Ave. Syracuse, NY
• Samuel A Baadani, age 27 from Manlius, NY

State Police and the Syracuse Police Department will continue to check corner stores and increasing patrols in areas of fireworks complaints.

Legal vs Illegal Fireworks in New York

The only fireworks you're legally permitted to set off without a permit or license in New York State are Sparkling Devices; ground-based or handheld devices that produce a shower of colored sparks and/or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke.

Sparkling devices are not legal all across the state. Some counties have prohibited the sale and use - Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange (prohibited in the Cities of Middletown and Newburgh only), Queens, Richmond, Schenectady, Suffolk, and Westchester.

All other types of fireworks, including firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinner, aerial devices, and M-80s are still illegal statewide.

If you're caught with illegal fireworks in New York State it could cost you a $1,000.00 fine and up to one year in jail.

See the full list of places where you can legally buy fireworks/sparkling device in New York state at dhses.ny.gov.