Bars from a prison jail cast a shadow on the floro.
Bars from a prison jail cast a shadow on the floro.

Wilmington Man Charged Following Months-Long Delaware Drug Investigation

State police say detectives seized suspected cocaine, cash, cellphones and drug packaging materials after executing search warrants in Wilmington.

A Wilmington man is facing multiple drug-related charges after a months-long Delaware State Police investigation into suspected narcotics distribution led to the execution of search warrants at a residence and vehicle earlier this week. Hector Soriano-Carela, 49, was taken into custody on June 4 following an investigation that began in January.

Wilmington man charged following months-long delaware drug investigation
Photo: wilmington man charged following months-long delaware drug investigation

Key Points

• Delaware State Police arrested Hector Soriano-Carela after a multi-month narcotics investigation.

• Detectives seized suspected crack cocaine, cocaine, cash and drug packaging materials.

• Soriano-Carela was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $92,100 cash bond.


According to investigators, the Delaware State Police Special Investigations Unit launched the probe after receiving information that Soriano-Carela was selling narcotics throughout the area. During the investigation, detectives allegedly observed him driving a Honda Civic to multiple locations and conducting suspected drug transactions.

Authorities said investigators identified a residence in the 200 block of North Broom Street in Wilmington as Soriano-Carela’s home. Detectives subsequently obtained search warrants for both the residence and the vehicle.

Search Warrants Executed

On Wednesday, members of the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team and the Wilmington Police Department assisted in executing the search warrants. Soriano-Carela was taken into custody without incident.

During searches of the residence and Honda Civic, investigators recovered approximately 5.12 grams of suspected crack cocaine and 1.75 grams of suspected cocaine. Police also seized more than $1,200 in suspected drug proceeds, multiple cellphones and drug packaging materials.

Charges and Bond

Following his arrest, Soriano-Carela was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 for processing. Authorities charged him with multiple drug-related offenses.

After arraignment in Justice of the Peace Court 11, he was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of a $92,100 cash bond.

Court records detailing the specific charges were not immediately released as part of the initial announcement. Investigators have not indicated whether additional arrests are expected in connection with the case.

Phil Stilton

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