Seven arrested in Cape Region drug bust

Police arrested a 26-year-old Milton man who they say was the kingpin at the center of distributing more than one kilogram of cocaine in the Lewes, Milton, Georgetown and Milford areas.

A seven-month investigation in eastern Sussex County resulted in seven arrests Thursday, Aug. 13, when police seized about 100 grams of cocaine and paraphernalia from Devaughn Ayers, 26, at 30093 Pinetown Road. Police say Ayers also used a Cone Lane home to distribute drugs.

At the 17716 Cone Lane home police found several handguns and a shotgun, most of them in a BMW parked at the home.

Police also say Ayers – in connection with at least 12 others – was responsible for distributing more than one kilogram of cocaine – 35 ounces – which has a street value of about $35,000, said Sgt. Walter Newton, a spokesman with the Delaware State Police.

He said an ounce of cocaine sells for $1,000.

“Obviously, the investigation culminated in seven arrests, but we’re still looking for several others. Just because this investigation comes to a conclusion doesn’t mean we’re still not looking for others actively involved in this type of behavior,” Newton said.

Ayers was charged with organized crime and racketeering, seven counts of trafficking cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle, 14 counts of second-degree conspiracy, nine counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, five counts of delivery of cocaine, eight counts of second-degree criminal solicitation and four counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited from having one and receiving a stolen firearm.

Ayers was committed to the Department of Corrections and is being held on a $631, 500 cash bond.

Delaware State Police, Drug Enforcement Agency Dover Task Force, Dover Police Department, Milford Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Delaware Probation and Parole, and Dewey Beach Police Department performed the investigation.

In addition to Ayers’ arrest, six others were arrested in the sweep.

Police also found nearly 42 grams of crack cocaine at the West Rehoboth Beach home of Michael Brewer and Mary McNeil, who live at 509 Burton Village. McNeil, 36, was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling, second-degree conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child. McNeil was committed on $87,500 bail.

Brewer, 31, is still wanted and was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling, conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child.

Police also found 233 grams of marijuana, or a little more than 8 ounces, at the Heron Bay home of Anthony, 25, and Steven Francis, 27, who live at 30213 Regatta Bay Blvd., outside Lewes. Newton said marijuana is valued at $125 per ounce.

Anthony Francis was charged with organized crime and racketeering, conspiracy, criminal solicitation, possession with the intent to deliver marijuana, maintaining a dwelling, tampering with physical evidence, possession of paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child. Anthony was committed to the Department of Correction with $3,500 bail.

Steven Francis was charged with maintaining a dwelling, conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child. Steven was released on $3,500 bail.

In Harbeson, police also arrested Wayne Wyatt, 49, of 28468 W. Springside Drive, charging Wyatt with organized crime, racketeering and conspiracy. Wyatt was committed to the Department of Correction and is being held on a $36,000 bail.

In Milford, police charged James Eley, 24, who lives at 412 Bridgeham Ave. with organized crime, racketeering and conspiracy. Eley was committed on a no cash bond.

In Milton, Zelda Sheppard, 40, was also arrested on Pinetown Road during the raid. Police say they found 21 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. She was arrested for possession with the intent to deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Six suspects are still wanted as a result of the investigation:

Russell Ayers, 23, of Lewes; Brewer, 31, of Burton Village; Terrance Johnson, 23, of Lewes; Stephen White, 26, of Lincoln; Lawrence Micclhe, 35 of Dagsboro and Jacob Svenson, 27, of Dagsboro.

Spencer Brittingham, a Cape Henlopen School District board member and a sergeant with the Delaware Department of Correction, was born in West Rehoboth.

“We, as communities, have to understand the scourge of drugs of our areas. Speaking to drug dealers who have been incarcerated, they have told me they would stop the day before they get caught. But no one knows what that day is,” said Brittingham.

“It’s a part of our society now. A lot look the other way knowing it’s happening and hoping the state police will take care of it,” he said.

Brittingham, however, said most communities are doing a good job policing neighborhoods and combating drugs.

“We have to attempt to educate our young ones that there are no successful drug dealers,” he said.