06.03.25
by

HIGH-RISK OFFENDER INVESTIGATION LEADS TO MAJOR DRUG SEIZURE

(Wilmington, DE 19805) In March 2025, Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police’s High-Risk Offender Team, in collaboration with the FBI Violent Crime/Safe Streets Task Force and Delaware Probation and Parole, launched an investigation into the distribution of controlled substances throughout New Castle County.

Through the course of the investigation, three individuals were identified as suspects: Daronce Beulah (30) and Stepheon Mason (34), both of Wilmington, and Karon Phillips (32) of Bear. The investigation resulted in substantial drug seizures and numerous criminal charges.

On May 30, 2025, both Phillips and Beulah were taken into custody in Wilmington. During their arrests, Detectives recovered 627 bags of heroin/fentanyl (totaling 18.81 grams) and 6.49 grams of crack cocaine. Beulah was also found in possession of over $1,400 in cash.

Later that evening, Detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1300 block of Maple Street in Wilmington. At that time, Mason was taken into custody. The search resulted in the recovery of additional illegal narcotics, including:

  • 1,356 bags of heroin/fentanyl (45.38 grams)
  • 4.7 grams of raw fentanyl
  • 707 amphetamine/methamphetamine (MDMA) pills
  • 689 grams of marijuana
  • 84 Alprazolam pills
  • $4,406 cash

Daronce Beulah was transported to New Castle County Police headquarters and charged with the following crimes:

  • Three felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, Tier 3
  • Two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, tier 3
  • One felony count of possession or control of a firearm by a person prohibited
  • One felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
  • One felony count of maintaining a drug property
  • One felony count of possession of a controlled substance, tier 1
  • One misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia not related to personal use
  • One misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child

Daronce Beulah was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to pay $162,252 cash bail.

Daronce Beulah – 30

Stepheon Mason was transported to New Castle County Police headquarters and charged with the following crimes:

  • One felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance
  • One misdemeanor count of Marijuana possession other than personal use
  • One misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child
  • One misdemeanor count of possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Stepheon Mason was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on $6,800.00 secure bail.

Stepheon Mason – 34

Karon Phillips was transported to New Castle County Police headquarters and charged with the following crimes:

  • One felony count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, Tier 3
  • One felony count of possession of a controlled substance, tier 3
  • One felony count of possession of a controlled substance, tier 1
  • Two misdemeanor counts of unlawfully dealing with a child <18
  • One misdemeanor count of driving while suspended or revoked
  • Two violations of no person shall turn a vehicle without giving a proper signal

Karon Phillips was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to pay $62,102 cash bail.

Karon Phillips – 32