Largest heroin bust in state history

Law enforcement across two states announced the largest seizure of heroin in Delaware history March 9.

“We believe that the defendants comprise Sussex County’s largest heroin supply network, a criminal enterprise that generated millions of dollars a year,” said Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, speaking at Delaware State Police Troop 7 near Lewes.

Forty-five people have been arrested so far, and another 10 are being sought or waiting for extradition in connection with the drug operation. A drug investigation started in 2020 by Delaware State Police along with Maryland State Police and sheriff’s offices in Worcester and Wicomico counties led police to a heroin and fentanyl operation headed by George Johnson of Bridgeville.

Johnson was at the top of the operation, police said, and five men worked under him, distributing more than 330,000 bags of heroin and 2,500 logs of heroin with a street value of more than $1.6 million. Twenty-four people working under two distributors sold heroin and fentanyl products on the street, police said.

“The amount of heroin taken in this operation is historic in Delaware,” Jennings said. “They were preying off the misery of others.”

In this case, fatal overdoses were traced to Johnson’s brand of drugs – cellophane baggies stamped with the word Dior.

“The big tip-off was the stamp on the product that we could trace to Johnson,” said Capt. Jon Wood, Georgetown Troop 4 commander.

Johnson’s network used locations throughout Sussex County and Maryland to sell drugs, Wood said.

Wicomico County Sheriff Michael Lewis said his officers have seen an enormous increase in the amount of fentanyl found during traffic stops and search warrants.

Lewis said Americans with ample amounts of disposable income are targets for Mexican cartels. “They’ve chosen North America, specifically the U.S., as their No. 1 destination point for the drugs coming out of both Central and South America,” he said. “We are the largest consumers of illegal drugs.”

Lewis said he has been astounded at the amount of drugs that move into Sussex County. “It boggles your mind,” he said.

Wood said the drugs were coming from Pennsylvania. In addition to heroin, police seized 20 heroin/fentanyl caplets, 5.8 grams of crack cocaine, more than a pound of marijuana, 10 ecstasy doses, three firearms with ammo, $65,000 in cash, and three vehicles valued over $50,000.

A total of 55 people have been indicted overall in the ongoing investigation, tagged Operation Dawg House. Johnson remains at large.