Delaware State Police
News Release

State Police Shut Down Camden Drug Operation

 

            Released Tuesday, March 24, 2009

           

            Camden – The Delaware State Police Kent County Drug Unit have concluded a two month undercover drug investigation which resulted in the arrests of 3 Dover persons.  Undercover troopers, with the assistance of the DSP Special Operations Response Team (SORT), executed the residential search warrant this morning at approximately 6:00 am at a home in the unit block of Hickory Drive, Briar Park, Dover.  The investigation surrounded the illegal distribution of crack cocaine.  

 

Throughout the course of the investigation, detectives identified several persons who reside in the home as persons responsible for the illegal distribution of narcotics.  During the execution of the search warrant, one of the occupants, Carlos O. Benson, 33 of Dover, obtained several individual bags of crack cocaine, weighing approximately 8 grams (1/4 ounce), and attempted to conceal his person by hiding in a bed with three children.  The children were a 7 year old male, 4 year old male and a 3 year old female.

 

When detectives encountered Mr. Benson and began questioning him in regards to the investigation, they observed him swallowing the crack cocaine.  Benson informed investigators he ingested approximately 8 grams of crack cocaine in an effort to conceal the drugs from police.  Due to the medical concern surrounding the fact he ingested cocaine, medical assistance was provided by Delaware State Police personnel on the scene. He was later taken by ambulance to Kent General Hospital where he has been admitted. 

 

During a later search of the residence, additional crack cocaine packaged for sale weighing approximately .7 grams, digital scales, and additional packaging material was located.  The bags were consistent with the crack cocaine filled bags that Carlos Benson placed in his mouth.  Furthermore, several individual bags of marijuana, a second digital scale, and more packaging material were located.  The marijuana weighed 29.7 grams.

 

As a result of the investigation, the following charges were levied against the below persons who reside in the home:

 

Arrest warrants have been obtained for Carlos O. Benson, 33 of Dover for Possession with the Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine, Maintaining a Dwelling, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Conspiracy 2^nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Endangering the Welfare of a Child (3 counts).  He will be charged once released from the hospital.

 

Erica N. Banks, 25 of Dover was arrested for Possession with the Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine, Maintaining a Dwelling, Conspiracy 2^nd, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Endangering the Welfare of a Child (3 counts).  She was released on a $14,000 unsecured bail.

 

Jonathan N. King, 27 of Dover was arrested for Possession with the Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Maintaining a Dwelling, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was released on a $6,000 unsecured bond.

 

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