Tokuda, Case introduce measure aimed at cracking down on illegal fireworks trafficking

U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, both Hawaiʻi Democrats, introduced legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal fireworks by allowing prosecutors to pursue money laundering charges against criminals moving illegal fireworks across state lines.

Federal law now carries a maximum prison sentence of only 1 year for those convicted of trafficking illegal fireworks.

Case called that punishment completely insufficient. It does nothing to deter the criminal activity when compared with profits realized.

The proposed Fireworks Trafficking and Money Laundering Prevention Act would increase the maximum prison time for such an offense to 20 years, which the lawmakers say is a far more consequential sentence for such a highly harmful activity.

“Our legislation addresses the source dealers in illegal fireworks who engage in large-scale national criminal enterprise that threatens public safety, fuels illicit financial activity and has devastated communities in Hawai‘i and across the country,” said Case in a release outlining the proposed legislation.

The District 1 congressman said illegal fireworks trafficking involves sophisticated interstate operations that are highly profitable black market networks, often moving illegal fireworks across state lines for years and making substantial criminal proceeds.

“For too long, the punishment for trafficking illegal fireworks has not matched the danger these criminal operations pose to our communities,” said Tokuda in the release, adding they exploit borders and ports while fueling preventable tragedies that already cost Hawaiʻi families far too much. “This bill sends a clear message: illegal fireworks trafficking that harm our communities will not be tolerated.”

Case emphasized that their proposal does not determine whether specific fireworks manufacture and use are illegal, as that is left to the individual states, but only that if specific fireworks are designated as illegal, a state can adequately regulate and enforce its laws.

The Fireworks Trafficking and Money Laundering Prevention Act would strengthen law enforcement’s ability to combat those criminal networks by designating illegal interstate fireworks trafficking a specified unlawful activity under federal money laundering statutes.

“Doing so would provide investigators and prosecutors with stronger tools to follow illicit proceeds, dismantle trafficking operations and hold offenders accountable with penalties that better reflect the seriousness of these crimes,” the congressman said.

Introduction of the proposed legislation comes after Case secured $772,000 in federal funds for a project to better screen for illegal fireworks at Honolulu’s ports of entry.

The Enhancing Hawai‘i Cargo Security through Advanced High-Energy Cargo Screening Systems Project would support the efforts of Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement to develop advanced high-energy cargo screening systems for Honolulu’s ports.

It is widely known that many, if not most, fireworks designated illegal by the state — which have maimed and killed Hawai‘i residents — are either manufactured and distributed on the mainland or imported from foreign countries to the mainland before being shipped to the islands for distribution.

“If we can disrupt the source distribution of illegal fireworks, then we can better enforce whatever laws we choose to enact on what is and is not permissible in our balancing of cultural traditions and public safety,” Case said.

Tokuda is proud to co-lead the proposed legislation that would make sure law enforcement has the federal tools it needs to stop shipments of illegal fireworks, crack down on illicit profits and keep those responsible fully accountable.

“This targeted investment will enhance the state’s ability to interdict illegal fireworks, weapons, narcotics and other contraband while also strengthening Hawai‘i’s first line of defense against invasive species and other biosecurity threats entering through commercial freight pathways,” Case said.

You can read the full Fireworks Trafficking and Money Laundering Prevention Act at Case’s Congressional District 1 website.