{"id":2818,"date":"2022-03-10T10:27:16","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T15:27:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/?p=2818"},"modified":"2022-03-10T12:24:55","modified_gmt":"2022-03-10T17:24:55","slug":"multi-state-investigation-leads-to-delawares-largest-heroin-bust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/multi-state-investigation-leads-to-delawares-largest-heroin-bust\/","title":{"rendered":"Multi-State investigation leads to Delaware’s largest heroin bust"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s being called the largest drug bust in the state\u2019s history.\u00a0 55 individuals indicted on multiple drug and weapons charges involving law enforcement agencies in Maryland and Delaware dubbed \u201cOperation Dawg House\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

During a press conference yesterday, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced the charges levied against the suspects.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“In the midst of an addiction epidemic that claims more than 400 lives a year \u2013 and in which Delaware has consistently been one of the country\u2019s three hardest-hit states \u2013 this operation saved lives,” Jennings says. “We need to help our neighbors in need get on the path to recovery, and need to hold accountable everyone who has helped fuel the addiction crisis \u2013 from the industry that sowed the seeds of the epidemic to the drug traffickers who profit off of it today. I am profoundly grateful to DSP and the team that led this investigation, and to each of our neighbors who are working to help us rebuild from the devastation of this crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The two-year investigation on the operation began in November 2020. Through the investigation, George Johnson was developed as the leader of the criminal enterprise, along with several other individuals accused of major contributors to the heroin epidemic in the state.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, who was part of the multi-state investigation, says this was the largest bust he\u2019s seen in his 38-year career.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cLarge scale drug traffickers have no boundaries. Consequently, based on the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies representing numerous jurisdictions along the east coast, we have charged these individuals with orchestrating a drug distribution network that would be the envy of any fortune 500 company. The organization had enough fentanyl and heroin to kill thousands of Marylanders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In total, over 330,000 bags of heroin with a street value of over $1.6 million were seized \u2013 along with 771 grams of marijuana, 5.8 of cocaine, and 10 ecstasy doses. Three stolen firearms with their serial numbers scratched off were also seized, along with $65,000 in suspected drug proceeds.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Delaware State Police Captain John Wood says the investigation began when a series of overdose deaths started. At the start 2021 alone, there were 6 deaths related to Johnson’s product.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe successful closure of large-scale narcotics investigations would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of all involved agencies,” Worcester County Sheriff Matthew Crisafulli says in a statement. “This case closure has undoubtedly saved thousands of lives in Maryland and Delaware. I applaud all of the law enforcement agencies involved in this complex investigation. I am proud to be associated with the men and women who worked tirelessly, to unravel this enormous narcotics investigation.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

44 of the individuals, including Johnson, have been arrested \u2013 with two suspects awaiting extradition from Maryland. Warrants have been issued for 9 other. In total, 232 felony charges have been issued along with 38 misdemeanors.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

UPDATE: We reached out to Delaware State Police to ask for more information on the case and where the busts occurred. They tell us that “the investigation came to a close in late November with a tactical traffic stop conducted by DSP SORT, and 5 simultaneous residential search warrants in Delaware and Maryland. The seized items came mostly from these events; however, some of the listed items were seized during the course of the investigation.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“There were a series of smaller seizures made during the course of the investigation at various points from 09\/22\/21-12\/03\/21. Those smaller seizures were the other photographs contained in the press packet. Then there was the large seizure of 2,500 logs (2,275 grams \/ 2.275 kilos) of Heroin that was seized at the conclusion of the investigation on December 03, 2021. That seizure occurred in the Felton area in Kent County as the product was being transported to the Laurel area.”<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
Photos: Delaware State Police<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s being called the largest drug bust in the state\u2019s history.\u00a0 55 individuals indicted on multiple drug and weapons charges involving law enforcement agencies in Maryland and Delaware dubbed \u201cOperation Dawg House\u201d. \u00a0 During a press conference yesterday, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced the charges levied against the suspects. \u00a0 “In the midst of an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2821,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[29],"tags":[65,32,87,38,47],"class_list":["post-2818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-crime","tag-delaware","tag-delaware-state-police","tag-news","tag-sussex-county"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/dawghouse1.png?fit=1120%2C769&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-Js","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":67161,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/townsend-woman-faces-drug-charges-after-illegal-marijuana-operation-bust\/","url_meta":{"origin":2818,"position":0},"title":"Townsend Woman Faces Drug Charges After Illegal Marijuana Operation Bust","author":"Admin","date":"May 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Delaware authorities arrested a Townsend woman on felony drug charges following an investigation into unauthorized marijuana sales. The Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement raided an unlicensed operation at a local farm.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778856683938.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778856683938.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778856683938.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778856683938.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778856683938.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11992,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/delaware-state-police-arrest-three-on-felony-charges-following-drug-bust-in-magnolia\/","url_meta":{"origin":2818,"position":1},"title":"Delaware State Police Arrest Three on Felony Charges Following Drug Bust in Magnolia","author":"Admin","date":"January 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"MAGNOLIA, DELAWARE - On January 17, 2025, Delaware State Police, along with the Kent County Drug Unit and the Kent County Governor\u2019s Task Force, executed a search warrant at a residence on Gray's Lane in Magnolia, leading to the arrest of three individuals on felony gun and drug charges. The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/untitled-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/untitled-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/untitled-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/untitled-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/untitled-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31200,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/dagsboro-man-arrested-after-police-find-cocaine-stolen-gun-in-drug-bust\/","url_meta":{"origin":2818,"position":2},"title":"Dagsboro Man Arrested After Police Find Cocaine, Stolen Gun in Drug Bust","author":"Admin","date":"March 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Delaware State Police arrested 48-year-old Dominick Drummond of Dagsboro following a search warrant execution that uncovered significant amounts of cocaine, a stolen handgun, and over $16,000 in cash. Drummond was allegedly seen throwing drugs into a fire pit during the raid and now faces multiple felony charges.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772570912630.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2755,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/dover-police-officer-pleads-guilty-to-dui-drug-use-while-on-patrol\/","url_meta":{"origin":2818,"position":3},"title":"Dover Police officer pleads guilty to DUI, drug use while on patrol","author":"admin","date":"March 2, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has reached a pre-indictment plea agreement with a former Dover police officer who experienced an opioid overdose in his patrol vehicle and later tested positive for fentanyl and marijuana. \u201cThis should remind us\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/News.Delaware.Gov-graphics-e1612815239649.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/News.Delaware.Gov-graphics-e1612815239649.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/News.Delaware.Gov-graphics-e1612815239649.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/News.Delaware.Gov-graphics-e1612815239649.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3845,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/rehoboth-beach-pursuit-ends-in-crash-drug-bust\/","url_meta":{"origin":2818,"position":4},"title":"Rehoboth Beach pursuit ends in crash, drug bust","author":"admin","date":"June 23, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Photo: Rehoboth Beach Police A Millsboro man is in jail after allegedly leading police on a chase that ended crashing into another police vehicle. . The incident happened at around 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday night. . Rehoboth Beach Police say officers attempted to stop 34-year-old Terence Savage, who was driving\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/SavageRBPD.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/SavageRBPD.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/SavageRBPD.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/SavageRBPD.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/SavageRBPD.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":73911,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/three-arrested-in-dover-drug-bust-following-gas-station-surveillance\/","url_meta":{"origin":2818,"position":5},"title":"Three Arrested in Dover Drug Bust Following Gas Station Surveillance","author":"Admin","date":"May 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Delaware State Police arrested three individuals after witnessing a drug transaction at a Dover gas station Tuesday night. The investigation led to a search warrant that uncovered crack cocaine, heroin, and drug paraphernalia at a residence on Rhode Island Drive.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1780084378252.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2818"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2842,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818\/revisions\/2842"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}