Suspects detained in multiple provinces for fireworks sales

As Spring Festival approaches, police in multiple provinces, including Zhejiang and Anhui, have detained individuals for selling fireworks on social media.

In Zhejiang, Hangzhou police recently detained a suspect surnamed Zheng for the illegal storage and sales of fireworks via social media after a routine inspection. They uncovered nearly three tons of fireworks — 465 cases — stored in a residential building without the required permits, according to local authorities.

In China, fireworks are classified as restricted goods. Selling fireworks requires obtaining a business (retail) license and corresponding qualifications. Wholesale businesses require approval from safety production supervision and management departments, according to the country's regulations on the safety management of fireworks.

Without a license, Zheng marketed on group chats using his WeChat account. He told the police he had found the business opportunity after seeing some promotional videos about fireworks sales online. He invested tens of thousands of yuan to buy fireworks from another province and rented a house to store them.

In December, police in Dongying, Shandong province, detained a woman surnamed Wang after discovering eight boxes of fireworks in her van with windows covered by newspaper. Authorities reported that Wang had advertised the products online and delivered them to customers without necessary transportation permits.

Selling fireworks without authorization through social media platforms, with illegal business operations exceeding 50,000 yuan ($6,820) or illegal gains exceeding 10,000 yuan, constitutes a crime. Once there is a problem with the fireworks sold, both the seller and people who distribute the information shall bear relevant legal responsibilities, according to a notice by the Ministry of Public Security on its official WeChat account.

Providing information on authorized fireworks sellers is not considered illegal. However, promoting door-to-door delivery or selling fireworks without a designated point can be a violation of law, regardless of the licensing status, the notice said.

Liu Boqian contributed to this story.