Full Notification

The Wilmington Police Department is announcing the results of multiple long-term investigations geared towards addressing illegal marijuana and drug sales from businesses across the city.
 
Over the past several months, and following concerns from residents and community leaders, investigators with the WPD Drug, Organized Crime and Vice Division have been conducting investigations into the illegal sale of marijuana and other drugs from city-based businesses.
 
This investigation included executing search warrants at the Red Eye Smoke Shop in the 2300 block of Lancaster Avenue on December 10, and the VIP Smoke Shop in the 900 block of Maryland Avenue on January 16.
 
Investigators have continued their efforts, which have resulted in search warrant executions and arrests at multiple additional businesses.
 
On March 3 at approximately 12:42 p.m., police executed a second search warrant at the VIP Smoke Shop in the 900 block of Maryland Avenue. Investigators recovered 584 grams of THC-related products.
 
On March 5 at approximately 10:52 a.m., police executed a search warrant at Sam Smoke Shop in the 700 block of South Union Street. Investigators recovered 280.25 grams of marijuana and THC products, 238 Xylazine pills and $2,371 in currency.
 
On March 9 at approximately 12:18 p.m., police executed a search warrant at Bodega 302 in the 2800 block of North Market Street. Investigators recovered 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 currency.
 
On March 13 at approximately 9:59 a.m., police executive a search warrant at the 4th Street Mini Mart in the 1600 block of West 4^th Street. Investigators recovered 507.7 grams of marijuana, 10 grams of Psilocybin and drug packaging materials.
 
On March 16 at approximately 1:25 p.m., police executed a search warrant at Smoke Shop in the 1300 block of West 4^th Street. Investigators recovered 5,794.05 grams of THC products, 7 Oxycodone pills, a .380-caliber handgun and $9,054 in currency.
 
On April 1 at approximately 9:54 a.m., police executed a search warrant at A1 Smoke Shop in the 2500 block of West 4th Street. Investigators recovered 1,740 grams of marijuana and THC products, 123 Xylazine pills and $1,160 in currency.
 
This investigation has also involved coordination with the City of Wilmington Department of Land Use & Planning and Licenses & Inspections officials, as well as the Delaware Department of Justice. Charges and other actions against the businesses involved are pending, and this investigation remains active and ongoing.
 
“Our investigators continue to find businesses that are engaging in the illegal sale of marijuana and THC-related products, flaunting the clear laws prohibiting this activity and selling drugs without regulation under the guise of legitimate businesses,” said Chief Wilfredo Campos. “We will not allow smoke shops or other businesses to become drug dealers or illegal dispensaries – and our team will continue to investigate this activity throughout the city and hold businesses accountable.”
 
The WPD Drug, Organized Crime and Vice Division will continue to investigate the illegal sale of marijuana and other prohibited products from City businesses, and encourages members of the public who observe illegal sales to contact police at (302) 654-5151.