WILMINGTON, DE — A Wilmington man is facing multiple felony drug charges following a months-long narcotics investigation conducted by the Delaware State Police.
According to state police, the Special Investigations Unit opened an investigation in January after receiving information that 49-year-old Hector Soriano-Carela was allegedly distributing narcotics in the Wilmington area.
Investigators allege they observed Soriano-Carela drive a Honda Civic to various locations and engage in suspected drug transactions over the course of the investigation. Detectives also determined he resided in the 200 block of North Broom Street and obtained search warrants for the residence and vehicle, according to police.
On June 4, members of the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team, assisted by the Wilmington Police Department, executed the search warrants and took Soriano-Carela into custody without incident, authorities said.
According to investigators, searches of the residence and vehicle led to the recovery of approximately 5.12 grams of suspected crack cocaine, approximately 1.75 grams of suspected cocaine, more than $1,200 in suspected drug proceeds, multiple cellphones, and drug-packaging materials.
State police charged Soriano-Carela with nine felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one felony count of possession of a controlled substance Tier 1 quantity, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Court records show Soriano-Carela was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after bail was set at $92,100 cash.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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