DOVER, DE – Delaware State Police have arrested three men from Magnolia, Delaware, following a prolonged drug investigation in Kent County. The individuals arrested include 19-year-old Algahgaa Ata, 23-year-old Maddyan Ata, and 52-year-old Khaled Ata, all facing multiple charges related to drug dealing.
The investigation, which began in November 2023, was conducted by the Kent County Drug Unit and Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE). The focus was on three businesses: Ali Baba Smoke Shop and Ali Baba 2 Smoke Shop in Dover, and Liberty Happy Gas Station in Magnolia. These locations were suspected of being involved in large-scale drug distribution.
On June 11, detectives stopped a vehicle driven by M. Ata near Magnolia. A search of his car revealed a loaded handgun, about 17 grams of marijuana, and $5,915 in cash believed to be drug proceeds.
Simultaneously, search warrants were executed at the aforementioned businesses and a residence on Ponderosa Drive in Magnolia. A. Ata and K. Ata were apprehended at the Liberty Happy Gas Station. Searches of the properties resulted in the seizure of approximately 1025.32 grams of marijuana and THC products, two handguns, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and $158,523 in suspected drug proceeds.
Algahgaa Ata was taken to Troop 3 for processing, charged, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and subsequently released on a $2,000 unsecured bond.
