WILMINGTON, DE — Wilmington police have arrested three individuals following an investigation into alleged illegal drug sales in the city’s West Street area.
Authorities from the Drug, Organized Crime, and Vice Division initiated their investigation earlier this month, focusing on the 600 block of West Street. On January 14, officers conducted a vehicle stop in the 700 block of North Tatnall Street, where 32-year-old Nyier Starks and 30-year-old Shaquay Oneal were taken into custody without incident. A subsequent search warrant executed at a location on West Street resulted in the arrest of 64-year-old Esro Ellerbe.
During the investigation, police recovered multiple substances, including 3.19 grams of crack cocaine, 3.9 grams of heroin, 50.72 grams of marijuana, one liquid ounce of codeine, as well as various prescription pills including 116 oxycodone, 63 MDMA, 30 clonazepam, and 27 amphetamine pills. Drug paraphernalia was also seized.
Starks faces multiple charges, including possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver in Tier 2 quantity. He was held at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $31,500 cash-only bail. Oneal was charged with possession of controlled substances in Tier 1 and Tier 2 quantities and released on $7,500 unsecured bail. Ellerbe, who faces charges of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, was released on $1,500 unsecured bail.
Authorities emphasize that all charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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