(New Castle, DE 19720) On Wednesday, July 29, 2025, at approximately 11:23 p.m., Patrol Officers from the New Castle County Police Department’s D-Squad conducted a traffic stop on a Kia Sportage for operating with a suspended registration.
Officers contacted the driver and sole occupant, 20-year-old Quadir Sanders-Smith of New Castle, who was unable to provide valid proof of insurance. Due to the violations, a tow truck was requested for the vehicle.
While conducting a vehicle inventory prior to towing, Officers discovered a loaded 9mm handgun and 28 bags of heroin/fentanyl. The firearm lacked a manufacturer’s mark and serial number, classifying it as a “ghost gun.”
Quadir Sanders-Smith was arrested and transported to New Castle County Police headquarters and charged with the following crimes:
- One felony count of possession of a large capacity magazine.
- One felony count of possession of a firearm by a person under 21.
- One felony count of an undetectable firearm.
- One felony count of carrying a concealed deadly weapon.
- One felony count of possession of a deadly weapon.
- One misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance.
- One misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
- One misdemeanor count of failure to have required insurance.
- One violation of a fictitious or canceled registration card, number plate, or tag.
Quadir Sanders-Smith was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to pay $49,000.00 cash bail.
Quadir Sanders-Smith-20
