Esteban Parra

The News Journal

A multi-agency underage drinking operation yielded 145 arrests over the weekend in Newark, police there said Wednesday.

Newark and University of Delaware police, along with agents from the state Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement, initiated the enforcement operation Saturday, Lt. Mark A. Farrall, a Newark police spokesman, said. During the operation, officers saw a loud party in the first block of Continental Ave. and, after an undercover investigation, officers determined alcohol was being provided to minors at that location, he said.

Officers got a search warrant and raided the party just after 3 p.m., finding 145 underage people, including three who were under the age of 18, who had consumed alcohol, Farrall said. All were arrested and released pending future court appearances.

The juvenile subjects were turned over to the custody of their parents.

Newark police continue to investigate the incident and have identified three residents of the home who will be arrested on more than 150 charges, including providing alcohol to a minor, possession of marijuana and underage consumption of alcohol.

Anyone with information on this incident should contact Cpl. Greg Micolucci at (302) 366-7110, ext. 412, or greg.micolucci@cj.state.de.us. An anonymous text message tip can be texted to 302NPD and your message to TIP411. Information also can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or online at www.tipsubmit.com, where a reward may be available.

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.