On Tuesday, December 21, 2021, Newport Police Officers were conducting surveillance on an alleged Fentanyl supplier, police said Thursday.
Officials said the man was identified as Andrew Desmond, 38, of Wilmington. Officers observed Desmond engaged in a drug deal with another vehicle along the Kirkwood Highway corridor, according to police.
Officers moved in on Desmond and the individuals and arrested all of them. Desmond was found to be in possession of 210 bags of Fentanyl and $1,999.00 of suspected drug proceeds said officials.
He was charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, arraigned at the Justice of the Peace Court #2, and issued a $3,000.00 unsecured bail.
Officials said investigators learned that while out on bail Desmond would visit Philadelphia and return to Delaware with Fentanyl the next day, December 21, 2021. On his return to Delaware, investigators located Desmond at the I-95 welcome center in Newark conducting a drug transaction with other individuals, according to police.
During his arrest in Newark, Desmond was found to be in possession of 800 bags of Fentanyl, said police.
He was charged with possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance in a tier 3 quantity, possession of drug paraphernalia, operation of an unregistered motor vehicle, and an equipment violation. He was arraigned via videophone at the Justice of the Peace Court 11 where he was issued a $25,500.00 secured bail. He was released after posting bail.
During the course of this investigation, an additional quantity of Fentanyl and cash were also seized. Additional arrests and seizures are anticipated police said.
Five other individuals were issued a criminal summons and released during the investigation.
Police said the total amount of Fentanyl seized thus far in the investigation is approximately 36.9 grams. They also seized $2,035.00 in cash.