DOVER, Del. — A heroin investigation outside a Dover gas station led Delaware State Police to arrest two men and later uncover additional suspected drugs hidden near children’s bedrooms at a nearby home, according to investigators.
Troopers arrested 33-year-old Randall Harris of Dover and 63-year-old Gerald Brown of Harrington after surveillance Monday night at a gas station in the 1600 block of South Dupont Highway. Investigators said they recovered about 130 bags of suspected heroin from a Nissan Sentra connected to the investigation, then found 13 more bags and a digital scale during a follow-up search at a Dover residence the next day.
State police said the investigation began around 10 p.m. Monday when members of the Delaware State Police Special Investigations Unit monitored suspected narcotics activity at the business.
Investigators observed Brown sitting inside the parked Nissan Sentra before a rideshare vehicle dropped off Harris at the location, according to police. Troopers said Harris entered the rear passenger seat of the vehicle, where investigators believed a drug transaction occurred, before walking into the gas station carrying what police described as a large amount of cash.
Search Inside Gas Station Led Troopers to Hidden Cash
Shortly after the interaction, troopers contacted both men and searched the vehicle. Delaware State Police said the search uncovered approximately 130 bags of suspected heroin bundled together with rubber bands.
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Investigators initially could not locate the cash Harris had been seen carrying because the business had already closed for the night. Police later determined the rideshare service had picked Harris up from a residence in the unit block of Edgewood Road in Dover.
On Tuesday, troopers returned to the gas station and retraced Harris’ movements inside the store. During that search, investigators said they found the missing cash hidden inside a box of snacks.
Police later executed a search warrant at the Edgewood Road residence connected to the case. During the search, troopers recovered approximately 13 additional bags of suspected heroin and a digital scale, according to Delaware State Police. Investigators said the drugs were found near two children’s bedrooms, leading to additional child endangerment charges.
Brown was taken to Delaware State Police Troop 3 and charged with multiple felony drug offenses. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on a $14,100 unsecured bond.
Harris also was taken to Troop 3 and charged with felony drug offenses. Police said he was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $14,100 secured bond and an unrelated capias.
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Key Points
• Delaware State Police recovered about 143 bags of suspected heroin during the investigation
• Troopers found hidden cash inside a snack box at a Dover gas station the next day
• Additional suspected heroin was discovered near two children’s bedrooms during a home search
Additional Charges Filed After Dover Home Search
Following the Tuesday search of the Edgewood Road residence, Harris faced several new charges tied to the additional drugs and the hidden cash investigators recovered.
According to Delaware State Police, Harris was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Court records released by police show Harris remained in custody after arraignment in Justice of the Peace Court 2 with an additional $7,200 unsecured bond.
Brown faces charges including possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in a Tier 2 quantity, possession of a controlled substance in a Tier 2 quantity, second-degree conspiracy, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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Harris faces the same original felony drug charges in addition to the new offenses tied to the residence search.
Investigation Continues Following Dover Arrests
The arrests highlight continued enforcement efforts targeting heroin distribution in central Delaware, particularly along heavily traveled commercial corridors such as South Dupont Highway.
Delaware State Police have not released additional details about the source of the suspected heroin or whether more arrests are expected. Investigators also did not disclose the amount of cash recovered from the gas station.
The case remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Special Investigations Unit.
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