April 28, 2016
Authorities in Delaware County have announced the arrest of 110 suspected drug dealers to conclude a six-month investigation in Darby Borough dubbed "Operation Spring Cleaning."
According to CBS3, the investigation stemmed from a flood of tips that came in from community members regarding alleged drug sales. More than 40 law enforcement agencies — including the DEA, FBI, and countywide police departments — participated in the operation.
The investigation, which began last October, produced 188 undercover drug purchases in Darby that led to the seizure of $48,000 worth of drugs including crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and prescription pills. In total, 248 arrest warrants were issued to street level dealers who will likely face felony charges.
“We are going to prosecute these individuals. We’re going to make sure if they need rehabilitation that they get it through the criminal justice system,” said Jack Whelan, Delaware County district attorney. “But most importantly, they’re going to be punished for what they’ve done.”
In one raid on a home, police mistakenly identified an innocent woman and her son for suspects. Darby Police Chief Robert Smythe said that the incident occurred as a result of the scale of the operation and that he planned to personally apologize to the family.
