(New Castle DE 19720) On Friday, (Feb 15) Officers from the New Castle County Division of Police received a complaint regarding a quality of life issue that was affecting the community of Whitehall.
The concerned citizen reported that there were on-going drug transactions occurring in the unit block of E. Bellamy Drive and provided a detailed description of the suspected drug dealer. Arriving officers located the suspect on a dirt bike in front of his residence and immediately smelled the odor of marijuana. When they attempted to take the suspect into custody a struggle ensued. After the subject was taken into custody a search of his person revealed, numerous individual bags of marijuana, a digital scale, prescription pills and over $1,000.00 in suspected drug proceeds.
A resident brought the officer’s conduct while taking the suspected drug dealer into custody to our attention. Portions of this arrest were captured on a cell phone video and were later posted on social media.
“Our officers are held to the highest standards of police conduct and the fact that an arrest was made does not negate the need for a complete and comprehensive review of this incident which is currently underway,” stated Colonel Vaughn M. Bond, Jr.
The 16-year-old male was charged with: one count of felony Resisting Arrest, one count of felony Manufactures, Delivers, or Possesses with intent to Manufacture, Deliver a Controlled Substance, two counts of misdemeanor Offensive Touching of a Law Enforcement Officer, one count misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance, one count of misdemeanor Criminal Mischief and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Marijuana Related, a civil violation.
He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and is being held at the New Castle County Detention Center in lieu of $6500 secured bail.
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