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DOVER, DELAWARE (1/17/2015) State police say the arrest of 15 people came as a drug network was about to distribute a deadly mix of Fentanyl and heroin in Kent County.
A 10-month investigation by several agencies targeted Jermaine D. Brinkley, 29, of Dover, Warner A. Henry, 28, of Smyrna, and Tyra A. Mills, 40, of Dover. They have been charged with directing a significant heroin network in the Dover area, responsible for distributing more than 500 grams of heroin in the last two months of 2014 alone, that was dismantled by the arrests, police said.
The arrests announced Friday came after officers searched 15 homes in the Dover, Wyoming, Bear and Wilmington areas and in Philadelphia and seized drugs and weapons. In addition to the 15 people arrested, three others are still being sought.
Brinkley was indicted in Kent County Superior Court and charged with 39 felony crimes including racketeering and numerous drug offenses. He is being held at Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna after failing to post $1,467,000 cash bail.
Mills and Henry also were indicted on nine felony charges including racketeering, drug and weapons offenses. Henry is being held at Vaughn Correctional in lieu of $509,050 cash bail and Mills is held at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution near New Castle in lieu of $226,000 cash bail.
Police said the others arrested on various drug charges were:
- George, Brinkley, 24, of Dover
- Kyle Scott, 26, of Dover
- Jacqueline Henry, 52, of Dover
- Shaquille Dixon, 21, of Dover
- Charles Roach, 31, of Dover
- Allison Morris, 26, of Dover
- Geoboris White, 42, of Bear
- Jonathan Reed, 24, of Wyoming
- Andrea King, 29, of Smyrna
- Bruchette Henry, 30, of Smyrna
- Elsie McClain Doughty, 29, of Cheswold
- Manlio Galvez, 42, of Philadelphia
Arrest warrants were obtained for those still being sought by police:
- Monique L. Harris, 27, of Dover, (Charges: Drug Dealing, Aggravated Drug Possession, Conspiracy 2nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana)
- Lida M. Clark, 55, of Dover, (Charges: Drug Dealing, Conspiracy 2nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia)
- Lauriea D. Johnson, 29, of Rock Hall, Maryland (Charges: Drug Dealing – two counts, Aggravated Drug Possession, Conspiracy 2nd – two counts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia).
In addition to Delaware and Pennsylvania state police, the investigation and arrests involved the Delaware Department of Justice; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Dover, Smyrna and Wilmington police; and the Delaware Division of Probation and Parole.
Police said the investigation dubbed “Operation L.I.E. (Loyalty Is Everything)” began in March.
On Jan. 8 and 9, police tactical teams searched 15 homes at these locations:
- 100 block of Presidents Drive, Capital Park, Dover
- 200 block of North Governors Boulevard, Dover
- 200 block of South Governors Boulevard, Dover
- First block of Briar Lane, Briar Park, Dover
- 200 block of Thornton Street, Lexington Glen, Dover
- 300 block of West Third Street, Wyoming
- First block of Fieldstone Road, Kingscroft, Bear
- 100 block of Buckson Court, Bear
- 1200 block of Sycamore Street, Wilmington
- 1700 block of Conrad Street, Wilmington
- 800 block of Bennett Street, Wilmington
- 6300 block of Tulip Street, Philadelphia
- 4100 block of O Street, Philadelphia
Police said about 39 grams of heroin, 23 grams of suspected Fentanyl, five handguns, ammunition, $79,000 in suspected drug proceeds and three vehicles were seized.
“Today, a big step has been taken to make the Capital Park community and Kent County area a safer place,” said Michael T. DellaCorte, DEA assistant special agent in charge of the Philadelphia Field Division.
Attorney General Matt Denn praised the work of the various agencies involved and Deputy Attorney General Lindsey Taylor, who led Department of Justice investigators and prosecutors involved in the cases.
“Late last year, law enforcement agencies at every level of government worked together to take down a major New Castle County drug ring, Denn said. “That same coordination and cooperation has now led to more than a dozen arrests and the break-up of a Kent County drug operation.”
Police asked anyone with information on the three being sought to contact Sgt. L. Skinner at 302-741-2798.
Tips also may be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards, at 800-847-3333 or online.