A multi-agency operation conducted on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at targeted locations throughout the greater Wilmington area has resulted in the arrest of 43 individuals on criminal charges, according to Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard Bratz.
Bratz said this crime blitz focused on the Kirkwood Highway, Maryland Avenue, and Churchman’s Road corridors as well as the greater Newport vicinity. The operation was conducted in these areas to target criminal activity and to address ongoing quality of life issues.
During the eight-hour enforcement blitz, police arrested 43 individuals for either a criminal charge or outstanding court capias resulting in the clearance of 46 active warrants. There were a total of 120 traffic and 51 criminal arrests made, as well as one DUI during the crime initiative.
Seized during the operation were two handguns (one stolen), 9.489 grams of Heroin (1,356 baggies), 72 Schedule II Pills, $11,656.00 in suspected drug proceeds, 74.99 grams of marijuana, 3.71 grams cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.
Without our fellow law enforcement partners, these results could not have been achieved, said Bratz. This initiative was a collaborative effort between the Delaware State Police, Governor’s Task Force, Wilmington Police Department, New Castle County Police Department, Newark Police Department, Newport Police Department, Delaware City Police Department, Probation and Parole, Department of Correction and the Justice of the Peace Courts.
Bratz said there were several noteworthy investigations. For example, troopers conducted a motor vehicle stop where the operator was concealing a firearm and subsequently charged with carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Another vehicle stop was conducted where $8,443.00 was seized as suspected drug proceeds. One vehicle was stopped for a suspended registration which resulted in a recovery of a stolen firearm from Atlanta, Georgia. The Governor’s Task Force stopped a suspect where an Administrative Search was conducted and seized 8.285 grams of Heroin, 72 Schedule II Prescription Pills, $1,118.00 of suspected drug proceeds and seized a 2014 Toyota Camry suspected to be associated with illegal drug activity.
There were 24 prisoners processed at Troop 6 during this crime blitz initiative, according to Bratz.