A Brooklyn store manager has been busted with more than 1,000 illegal fireworks worth about $250,000 in the lead up to Independence Day celebrations, Fire Department officials announced.
Fire Marshalls arrested Lisen Pan, 42, manger of Everbright Trading Company on Flushing Ave. in Bushwick for the sale of illegal fireworks after a joint investigation between FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Investigation, the Bureau of Fire Prevention, and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
“Fireworks are illegal in New York and can be especially dangerous in the closed confines of our city. The massive amount of powerful fireworks allegedly possessed by this defendant made his conduct not only unlawful, but also a danger to public safety that necessitated decisive action,” Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez said in a statement.
“I’m grateful for Fire Department Marshals and other partners who worked together with my office on this case and call on all New Yorkers to celebrate responsibly next week.”
Authorities opened the investigation after receiving a tip from the Riverhead Long Island Fire Marshal’s office. During two visits to the store, plainclothes investigators saw several shelves cluttered with numerous types of illegal fireworks.
FDNY
FDNY Fire Protection Inspectors and Fire Marshals remove boxes of illegal fireworks from a Brooklyn warehouse on Tuesday. (FDNY)
On June 24, undercover agents attempted to purchase fireworks from Pan. After securing a search warrant, they discovered a large quantity of fireworks stashed throughout the premises, including aerial “cake-style” rockets, handheld Roman candle-style fireworks, and large sparkling devices.
Fire Marshals arrested Pan. He is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment, and unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks.
“Fireworks are dangerous and life-threatening, and they have no place in the hands of the public,” FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said in a statement. “The members of the FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Investigation and Fire Prevention are dedicated to keeping New Yorkers and FDNY members safe. This operation is proof. This multi-agency effort led to the removal of a large quantity of illegal and hazardous fireworks. Let me be clear: individual actions that endanger the public will not be tolerated.”
