Three busted in Wilmington drug raids as manhunt continues for alleged ringleader
Wilmington, DE – Three men were arrested and a fourth remains on the run after Delaware State Police executed a pair of drug raids last week, uncovering heroin, mushrooms, and a suspected drug lab inside Wilmington homes.
The coordinated operation unfolded on Friday, when troopers with the DSP Troop 2 Drug Unit and Special Operations Response Team served two search warrants—one at a home on the 200 block of North Rodney Street and another on the 700 block of North Monroe Street. The investigation centered around alleged narcotics distribution by four Wilmington residents: Tayvon Brown, Rhasheed Gilliam, Alexander Wade, and Darvin Connor, who remains wanted.
Brown, 30, was arrested without incident at the Monroe Street residence. Inside, detectives seized two grams of suspected crack cocaine, 18 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, along with drug packaging supplies and a digital scale.
At the Rodney Street location, Gilliam, 28, was taken into custody and Wade, 39, attempted to flee before being apprehended nearby. A child was found in the home during the operation. Police uncovered 321 grams of suspected heroin/fentanyl, 31 grams of marijuana, 11 rounds of ammunition, and equipment used in the manufacturing of illegal drugs.
Brown is facing four felony counts of possession with intent to distribute, multiple tier 1 drug charges, conspiracy, and possession of paraphernalia. He is being held at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $30,200 secured bond.
Wade is charged with possession and distribution of Tier 3 controlled substances, possession of ammunition by a person prohibited, conspiracy, resisting arrest, and paraphernalia charges. He remains in custody on a $134,000 cash bond.
Gilliam faces similar Tier 3 charges along with a felony for operating a clandestine lab, conspiracy, and drug paraphernalia. His bond is set at $142,200 cash.
Meanwhile, Connor, 44, is still being sought and faces an extensive list of charges, including operating a drug lab, multiple felony drug distribution counts, conspiracy, ammunition possession, and child endangerment. Police are urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward.
The arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown on suspected narcotics activity in the Wilmington area, where authorities say investigations into organized drug distribution networks remain active.
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Key Points
- Three men were arrested in Wilmington on drug distribution and conspiracy charges
- Police recovered heroin, mushrooms, crack cocaine, and drug lab materials during two home raids
- A fourth suspect, Darvin Connor, remains at-large and wanted on multiple felony charges