Cops destroy illegally sold firecrackers, pyrotechnics

EXPLOSIVES supposed to welcome the year with a bang got a hiss instead.

Last December 29, some P130T worth of confiscated assorted firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices never had their wicks ignited in two separate occasions.

A dousing hiss was what they got from a fire fighting team used by authorities to destroy these illegal merchandise that could otherwise be a lot of pains for police and civilian victims.

In the morning, City police authorities led by Psupt Julius Cesar Gornez doused another P50T worth of assorted firecrackers and pyrotechnics confiscated during a raid at Big Tops and Kayang Kaya Marketing.

The firecrackers were intended for sale to New year revelers.

In the afternoon of the same day, another P80T worth of similar firecrackers and pyrotechnics were doused in front of the Bohol Provincial Police Office at Camp Dagohoy in a simple ceremony attended by Chiefs of Police in nearby stations.

The afternoon firecrackers and pyrotechnics were from the same Kayang Kaya Marketing and confiscated after a search by police authorities at the store last December 23, 2010, according to an inventory report filed at the Bohol Police office.

The seizure was for absence of a retailer’s or detailer’s license, said PO2 Jess Martinez of the Firearms and Explosives, Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Section (FESAGSS) of the Philippine National police at Camp Dagohoy.

The dousing operations were to rid the city and Bohol residents of a chance to be victims of dangerous firecrackers especially those sold by unlicensed dealers, city police sources added.

The December 23 raid at Kayang Kaya produced 3 boxes of baby rocket, 6 large packs of baby rockets, 1 huge box of triangles, 5 boxes of pull strings, 12 packs of poppers, 3 huge boxes and 4 small packs of Judas’ belt, 45 packs of sky rocket sets, 12 big packs and 9 medium packs and 8 small packs of Picollo, 6 boxes of mini Picollo, 4 big packs of Superbang.

Also destroyed after confiscation were 3 packs of G6 rockets, 7 big packs, 9 medium packs and 13 small packs of judas belt firecrackers plus a carton of sparklers and a pack of Roman Candle.

Asked what the next steps would be for authorities who swooped down on the store and caught the store illegally operating, Martinez said investigations have to be done.

They could be charged in violation of Republic Act 7283 or illegally selling explosives and firecrackers, he explained.

When found guilty, store owner Ailyn Ang could be fined P30T, get imprisonment between 6 months to one year and possible revocation of permits.

A few weeks ago, Bohol PSSupt. Constantino Barot warned against these illegal dealers who would try to sneek their firecrackers and illegally sell them. (racPIABohol)