WILMINGTON, DE — A routine traffic stop in a busy section of Wilmington escalated into a major criminal investigation Tuesday afternoon after detectives say they uncovered a loaded firearm and a large quantity of drugs inside a vehicle.
According to New Castle County Police, detectives with the Active Crime Trends Team were conducting proactive patrols around Lancaster Avenue at approximately 2:00 p.m. on January 6 when they stopped a teal Nissan Versa near the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and Cleveland Avenue for a traffic violation. The driver was identified as 23-year-old Taiswan Gibbs of Wilmington.
Investigators allege that during the stop, detectives developed probable cause to search the vehicle. During that search, police said they recovered a loaded 9mm handgun, more than 200 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, all concealed inside the vehicle.
Further investigation determined that Gibbs was prohibited from possessing a firearm, according to authorities.
Gibbs was taken into custody and transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with multiple offenses, including alleged possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person prohibited, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, possession with intent to deliver, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of a Tier 1 controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also cited for driving while using a communication device and for violating windshield material regulations.
Gibbs was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $47,770.00 secured bail.
Police emphasized that all charges are allegations and that Gibbs is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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