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Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

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Major bust at open air drug market

(Aug. 31, 2017) Worcester County law enforcement officials are hopeful last week’s bust of eight people operating an “open air drug market” in Selbyville, Delaware will hinder heroin trafficking across the border, in Maryland.
“I sincerely hope it does make an impact. It’s in our vested interest to make the public aware [of] where our drug problem is stemming from,” Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Ed Schreier said. “But, we’re not going to arrest our way out of a heroin problem. There’s a lot more work to be done.”
A three-month-long investigation of the Polly Branch Road drug activity led to the arrest of eight people and the seizure of $51,529 in suspected drug proceeds and 5,596 bags of heroin. Detectives also seized 11.29 grams of marijuana, 3.62 grams of cocaine, 10 suboxone strips and a loaded 9mm handgun.
Polly Branch Road in Selbyville is drug market known by many agencies in Delaware and Maryland, including the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team (WCCET), which involves police from several county jurisdictions deputized to operate anywhere in Worcester.
During the last year, Ocean City Police officers and county deputies assigned to WCCET watched people buy and sell drugs on the back road. Several times, they followed cars registered in Worcester County back over the border and made arrests.
“We’ve known about this for months, but the nature of law enforcement is that we want to make sure the guys we arrest have been found guilty by a judge and jury,” Schreier said. “That requires gathering information and evidence. We can’t disclose our investigation techniques.”
Agencies including the Delaware State Police Sussex Drug Unit and the DEA led raids on two southern Delaware homes – one within sight of a special education school – on Aug. 22.
Police raided a home in the 30000 block of Frankford School Road in Frankford, which is maintained by 32-year-old Jeremiah Handy and 30-year-old Ashley Drummond. The house is yards away from George Washington Carver Academy.
During the search, police found 5,380 bags of heroin, 7 grams of marijuana, a loaded Taurus 9mm semi-auto handgun and $22,979 in suspected drug proceeds, police said.
Detectives also seized $25,000 in assets from Handy and Drummond’s bank account, according to press statements. The pair was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin, possession of an illegal firearm, money laundering, and endangering the welfare of a child.
A 12-year-old, found at the scene, was turned over to her maternal grandmother, police said. The state Division of Family Services was also notified.
In front of a house in the 30000 block of Washington Avenue in Selbyville, police saw Jayquan Bland, 17, of Laurel selling drugs in a hand-to-hand exchange. Police said he tried to hide a plastic bag that contained 216 bags of heroin when they arrived.
Officers also arrested resident Janie Handy, 28, and seized $2,938, seven bags of cocaine, eight suboxone strips, and 4.29 grams of marijuana.
Handy was charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, maintaining a drug property, possession of suboxone, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bland was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, tampering with physical evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and drug dealing and conspiracy.
Police also spotted a Nissan Altima parked nearby. Detectives talked to the driver, Delane Jacobs, 30, of Selbyville, and smelled marijuana, according to a Delaware State Police press release.
When police searched the vehicle, they found 0.44 grams of powder cocaine, $612 in suspected drug proceeds and two suboxone strips. Jacobs was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of suboxone and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
A 9-year-old child was present during the execution of the Selbyville search warrant, and the state Division of Family Services was notified, according to press statements.
Janine Handy and Jacobs were taken to Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI); Handy failed to post $10,500 cash bail and Jacobs is in default of $1,501 secured bail.
Jeremiah Handy and Drummond were arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court and committed Sussex Correctional Institution; Jeremiah Handy in default of $126,000 cash bond and Drummond is in default of $130,000 secured bond.
Bland was taken to Stevenson House Detention Center after failing to post $12,250 cash bail.
The following people were also charged:
• Phillip Michael Smith, 29, of Frankford, was charged with drug dealing. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to SCI in default of $50,000 cash bond.
• David M. Mitchell Jr., 25, of Selbyville, was charged with drug dealing and second-degree conspiracy. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to SCI in default of $22,253 secured bond.
• Tycere Bryant, 17, of Selbyville, was charged with drug dealing. He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Stevenson House Detention Center in default of $20,000 secured bond.
In addition to the eight arrests, police said they are still searching for six other suspects:
•Frederick M. Lynch, 23, of Georgetown, charged with drug dealing.
•Deshawn C. Handy, 34, of Selbyville, charged with two counts of drug dealing.
•Edward L. Collick, 28, of Greenwood, charged with drug dealing.
•Cornell V. Gray, 33, of Greenwood, charged with drug dealing.
•Timothy E. Sample, 28, of Millville, charged with drug dealing and conspiracy.
•Jhajuanye Q. Johnson, 23, of Selbyville, charged with drug dealing and conspiracy.
Those with information on any of the suspects are encouraged to contact Delaware State Police Sgt. M. Dawson at 302-752-3815. Tips can also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or visiting www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.