Three arrested following drug bust near Millsboro

The Delaware State Police have arrested three people after a several-months-long drug investigation near Millsboro that uncovered 40 grams of drugs.

Members of the Sussex Drug Unit, Sussex County Governor’s Task Force and Special Operations Response Team executed a search warrant Jan. 23 at a residence in the 25000 block of Oak Street in Millsboro and found three people inside along with suspected drugs, said Sr. Cpl. Leonard DeMalto of the Delaware State Police.

Officers found about 3.93 grams of packaged suspected heroin, about 3.67 grams of suspected raw heroin, about 6.84 grams of cocaine, about 21.46 grams of crack cocaine, more than $4,300 in suspected drug dealing proceeds, and drug paraphernalia.

Police arrested Christina Blades, 45, of Millsboro, without incident, and took Tomaris White, 43, of Dover, into custody after he tried to destroy narcotics, DeMalto said. Stephen Tankard, 58, of Millsboro, tried to flee, DeMalto said, but he was taken into custody by troopers a short time later after he resisted arrest and tried to hide outside. Tankard was taken to an area hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries and was later released.

All three were taken to Troop 4 and charged with felony operating a clandestine drug laboratory, felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, felony possession of a controlled substance in a tier 1 quantity, second-degree conspiracy, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Blades and Tankard also face maintaining a drug property; and Tankard faces resisting arrest. White also faces possession with intent to deliver controlled substances in tier 2 and 3 quantities, and tampering with physical evidence.

All were arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2. Tankard and Blades were released on their own recognizance. White was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $116,200 cash bond.