Man Had 15,000 Pounds Of Fireworks Worth $100K: Police

MEDFORD, NY – A man was arrested and about $100,000 worth of fireworks were seized during the execution of a search warrant at a Long Island storage facility Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Anthony Benevento, 36, is charged with illegal storage of explosives, a Class E felony under New York State Labor Law, and unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks, according to Suffolk Police.

Sixth Squad detectives and the Brookhaven Town fire marshal executed a search warrant at Medford Mini Storage located at 775 Long Island Ave. in Medford around 3:25 p.m. Wednesday.

During the search, two truckloads of fireworks, contained in about 380 boxes and weighing approximately 15,000 pounds, were recovered.

The fireworks had the potential to cause a powerful explosion that could have resulted in substantial personal injury and property damage, police said.

Benevento, whose Facebook page lists his job as "pyrotechnician at Fireworks by Grucci," was held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip Thursday.

Fireworks By Grucci released the following statement: "The individual recently arrested on Long Island for illegal activities relating to fireworks is not an employee of, nor has any affiliation with, Fireworks By Grucci, Inc. This individual’s work relationship with the company was terminated in 2016. The company has never sold any related products or materials to this individual. All inventory controls remain in place and are compliant to state and federal regulations."

Google Maps image of Medford Mini Storage