Esteban Parra

The News Journal

One of the largest heroin trafficking organizations in Delaware history has been shut down with the arrests and indictments of 44 people, authorities said Wednesday.

Led by 31-year-old Andrew Lloyd, and 29-year-old Jarrell Brown, both of the Newark area, the organization is responsible for selling about 2.5 pounds of heroin per month at the height of its operation, as well as a spree of street violence in Wilmington, said Michael Delacorte, assistant special agent in charge with the Drug Enforcement Agency.

The organization made a profit of about $2 million in heroin sales over a 12-month period, Delacorte estimated.

"The arrest of 40 plus drug dealers, some of whom were tied to violent acts throughout the city and county, will certainly have a positive effect in reducing crime and making these neighborhood safer for the American public that we serve," Delacorte said during a press conference held at State Police Troop 2 in Glasgow Wednesday.

The 11-month investigation, dubbed "Operation Son Sun," resulted in more than 300 weapon, drug and racketeering charges, mostly felonies. Operation Son Sun was a collaboration between federal agencies, as well as police from New Castle County, Wilmington and State Police.

News of the arrests was welcome to those involved in substance abuse counseling and treatment.

"Doing what they've done I think is an outstanding reflection on the agencies working together in solving some of the problems we have going on in Delaware and our nation," said Don Keister, founder and board member of the advocacy group aTTacK Addiction.

Mandell Much, director of clinical services at Aquila of Delaware in Wilmington, a family-based counseling and treatment center, said any disruption of heroin flow is good, but he worries about the vacuum left.

"As you know, when one player falls another player steps in," he said.

Police said they are watching.

"We as law enforcement must remain vigilant and proactive in our drug investigations and prosecutions and continue to work together to help stem the flow of drugs that make it to the streets of Delaware," said Jeffrey Hale, a state police spokesman.

County police Col. Elmer Setting, whose department blames drugs, especially heroin, for most crimes in his jurisdiction, said he intends to see more arrests and more indictments to send a message.

"We're sending a more clear message that these folks who think they are untouchable are not," Setting said, adding he plans to continue participating in task forces that pool different resources and funding from various law enforcement agencies.

He added there needs to be an education component to reduce heroin use.

"Is heroin going to go away," he asked. "I don't know. But I know this: I know we can make it very difficult for heroin to exist in our town .... If you make it difficult for the rings to operate they will go elsewhere or they will be incarcerated."

In December 2013, Wilmington and state police merged separate drug investigations to form Operation Son Sun, State Police Col. Nathaniel McQueen Jr. said. More agencies were drawn into the investigation, which eventually targeted more than 40 people and 17 different residential locations throughout New Castle County.

In October, an initial wave of search warrants was executed at eight residences in Newark and Wilmington. The operation concluded on Nov. 25, with a second wave of search warrants executed at nine residences in Newark, New Castle and Wilmington.

Through these raids police seized nearly a pound of heroin, as well as 5.3 pounds of marijuana, less than an ounce of each crack cocaine and methamphetamine and other drugs. Seven handguns and ammunition also were collected and more than $34,000 in cash and two motor vehicles.

Delaware prosecutor Mark Denney said some of the people indicted were involved in gun violence that has been plaguing Wilmington, including shootings.

"Late last year and the beginning of January of 2014, Wilmington saw, what I would say, an unusually high spike of shootings," Denney said. "That was largely of this crew."

This includes Rakeem Mills, 26, and Blayton Palmer, 22, two men indicted under Operation Son Sun who authorities said were involved in a Jan. 1 shooting of a vehicle passing by in Wilmington. Mills was convicted of two weapon charges and criminal mischief and sentenced Friday to 20 years in prison.

Palmer, who faces similar charges, is scheduled for trial next month.

"The reason the FBI came in when they did and we ultimately merged with the DEA [and] DSP was because of that violence," Denney said.

Officials hammered on how this collaboration was essential in bringing an end to this group. Approximately 50 investigators from various law enforcement agencies worked with 17 prosecutors to bring these charges.

"With the 102-count racketeering of Andrew Lloyd and others for dealing heroin, among other crimes, in the city of Wilmington and the county of New Castle, you are witnessing the dawn of a new era in law enforcement," state prosecutor Kathleen M. Jennings said. She went on to say that she'd never seen the kind of cooperation displayed by all the agencies, which included law enforcement from Wilmington, New Castle County, state and federal.

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

The following people have been charged with felonies, including various drug offense:

Brian Palmer, 26, of Wilmington

Antoine Miller, 34, of Wilmington

Lakenya Howard, 23, of Wilmington

Yasmeena Brown, 25, of Wilmington

Tomekia Gross, 35,of Newark

Janelle Lloyd, 24, of Newark

Blayton Palmer, 22, of Wilmington

Galen Collins, 33, of Wilmington

Wanda Lloyd, 29, of Wilmington

Markeda Brinson, 25, of Newark

Jarron Brown, 25, of Newark

Mack Andino, 38, of Newark

Kareem Keyes, 49, of Dover

Davonte Lewis, 21, of Wilmington

Kimwayna Allen, 28, of Wilmington

Rakeem Mills, 26, of Wilmington

Rydell Mills, 22, of Wilmington

Spud Burns, 52, of Newark

Kenneth Hall, 30, of Newark

Brandon Episcopo, 33, of Cecil County

Pamela Keys, 48, of Dover

Jeremy Johnson, 28, of Newark

Keith Murray, 32, of New Castle

Isaiha Palmer, 23, of Wilmington

Zechariah Palmer, 18, of Wilmington

Brian Miller, 32, of Wilmington

Cleon Stewart, 44, of Wilmington

Felicia Pagan, 40, of Wilmington

Jai Boyer, 25, of Wilmington

Corey Kisielewski, 22, of Wilmington

Jamaal Dearry, 29, of Newark

Rahim Bilal, 22, of Philadelphia

Najah Mercer, 19, of Newark

Brandon Paynter, 28, Chester, Pennsylvania

The following people have been charged with misdemeanors:

Kayla Stoltzfus, 24, of Leola, Pennsylvania

Bryant Dempsey, 38, of Bear

Eric Harrington, 25, of Cecil County, Maryland

George Everts, 64, of New Castle

Arrest warrants have been issued for the following people in connection with the investigation:

Sonia Dixon, 26, Wilmington

Steven Roscoe, 31, Dover

Leroy Ridgeway, 63, Dover

Marcus Cobuccio, 20, New Castle