UNION CITY -- A high-tech sting operation -- using the popular Craigslist internet website -- has led to the arrest of a Union City man and the seizure of more than 1,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, authorities revealed Thursday.

Alameda County Sheriff's Department Sgt. JD Nelson said Joel Otsuka was being held at Santa Rita jail on multiple counts of possession, transportation and sale of illegal fireworks.

Otsuka's alleged operation was uncovered by detectives with the sheriff's department's cyber crimes division who were trolling Craigslist, looking for illegal activities.

"They were surprised at how brazen he was -- listing an illegal activity for all to see," Nelson said.

Undercover deputies emailed Otsuka and set up a $1500 buy in a rural area of the county.

"He was very cooperative when it came to selling us his fireworks," Nelson said. "He told us he could get whatever we wanted… He came expecting to collect $1500 and instead got a one-way ticket to Santa Rita."

Deputies then searched Otsuka's Union City home and discovered his large stash of fireworks.

"It's a fairly huge haul," Nelson said.

Nelson added that his department would be beefing up its efforts to bust illegal fireworks operations with the approach of the Fourth Of July holiday.