WILMINGTON, DE — Wilmington police reported seizing nearly 1,900 grams of marijuana and THC products, a loaded handgun and more than $5,000 during searches of two smoke shops Sept. 3 as part of a broader investigation into alleged illegal drug sales from area businesses.
Detectives with the Wilmington Police Department’s Drug, Organized Crime and Vice Division had been investigating suspected illegal drug sales at Smoke Farm in the 3000 block of Miller Road, according to police. During that investigation, detectives identified what police described as a sister business, Jumbo Smoke Shop, in the unit block of Kensington Lane in Newark.
At approximately 5 p.m. Sept. 3, officers executed search warrants at both businesses, police said.
Investigators reported recovering a loaded 9mm handgun, approximately 1,896 grams of marijuana and THC products and $5,367 in cash during the searches.
The searches followed a series of similar police actions dating to December as Wilmington investigators examined alleged illegal sales of marijuana and other controlled substances from smoke shops and other businesses.
On Dec. 10, investigators executed a search warrant at Red Eye Smoke Shop in the 2300 block of Lancaster Avenue, followed by a Jan. 16 search at VIP Smoke Shop in the 900 block of Maryland Avenue, according to police.
Police returned to VIP Smoke Shop on March 3 and reported recovering 584 grams of THC-related products.
Two days later, investigators searched Sam Smoke Shop in the 700 block of South Union Street and reported recovering 280.25 grams of marijuana and THC products, 238 xylazine pills and $2,371 in cash.
On March 9, police searched Bodega 302 in the 2800 block of North Market Street. Investigators reported recovering 2,090 grams of marijuana, 29 grams of methamphetamine, 139 grams of psilocybin, 36 doses of Adderall, ammunition, a ballistic vest, drug-packaging materials and $1,400 in cash.
Police reported searching the 4th Street Mini Mart in the 1600 block of West Fourth Street on March 13 and recovering 507.7 grams of marijuana, 10 grams of psilocybin and drug-packaging materials.
On March 16, investigators searched a smoke shop in the 1300 block of West Fourth Street and reported recovering 5,794.05 grams of THC products, seven oxycodone pills, a .380-caliber handgun and $9,054 in cash.
Police searched A1 Smoke Shop in the 2500 block of West Fourth Street on April 1 and reported recovering 1,740 grams of marijuana and THC products, 123 xylazine pills and $1,160 in cash.
Wilmington police said those earlier investigations collectively resulted in the seizure of approximately 11,000 grams — just over 24 pounds — of marijuana and THC products, along with 361 xylazine pills, methamphetamine and other controlled substances, drug-packaging materials, a handgun, ammunition and a ballistic vest.
The enforcement effort continued May 12, when detectives searched Rockford Smoke Shop in the 1400 block of North DuPont Street. Police reported recovering approximately 3,383 grams, or just over 7.4 pounds, of marijuana and marijuana products.
Wilmington police said the broader investigation has involved coordination with the city’s Department of Land Use and Planning and Licenses and Inspections officials, as well as the Delaware Department of Justice.
Anyone with information about suspected illegal drug sales from businesses in Wilmington is asked to contact police at 302-654-5151.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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