Photo: Confiscated from Gonzalez
Originally published as a San Mateo Police Department Facebook post:
“San Mateo, CA – The San Mateo Police Department obtained illegal fireworks and explosives after implementing a proactive operation designed to curtail the sale and use of fireworks in the City of San Mateo.
The San Mateo Police Department received information that a suspect, later identified as Jose Magana Gonzalez, was selling fireworks in San Mateo County. Acting as an individual desirous of obtaining fireworks, an SMPD officer agreed to purchase fireworks and explosives from Magana Gonzalez.
On June 11, 2022, at approximately 3:14 p.m., an SMPD officer met with Magana Gonzalez at a parking lot located in San Mateo. Magana Gonzalez sold an SMPD officer five M100s, various fireworks, and marijuana. Once the sale was completed, additional SMPD officers arrived on scene and arrested Magana Gonzalez. A search of Magana Gonzalez’s vehicle located a loaded, unserialized .40 caliber P80 firearm, 13.5oz of marijuana, 26g of Psilocybin, a scale, packaging materials, and additional fireworks.
Cellphones in Magana Gonzalez’s possession were also collected as evidence. Magana Gonzalez was transported to the San Mateo County Jail and booked for carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of marijuana for sale, sale of marijuana, illegal possession of fireworks, possession of destructive device. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad collected the M100s for evidence processing and testing.
If you know someone or see someone who is in possession, selling, and/or lighting fireworks, please use our Fireworks Reporting form at https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/fireworks. You may remain anonymous when providing information. The City of San Mateo has taken a zero-tolerance stance on fireworks. All fireworks are illegal in San Mateo. Individuals who are caught with fireworks, even those fireworks labeled as “safe and sane,” will be fined. Also, those individuals in possession of large quantities of fireworks carry penalties up to $10,000 as well as imprisonment.
ARRESTED
Jose Magana Gonzalez, a 28-year-old Redwood City resident
Charges: Carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle (25400(a)(1) PC), Possession of a controlled substance while armed (1130.1(A) H&S), Possession of a controlled substance for sale (11375(b)(1) H&S), Possession of marijuana for sale (11359 H&S), Sale of Marijuana (11360(a) H&S), Illegal possession of fireworks (12305 H&S), Possession of destructive device (18710 PC).”
