Upper Darby cops seize gun, pot and pills in raid
MEDIA COURTHOUSE » An Upper Darby man was charged with drug and related offenses after authorities confiscated about 13 pounds of marijuana, more than 1,000 prescription pills and other controlled substances, and a firearm during a recent search of his residence.
“Our county, like the rest of the nation, is currently facing an opioid epidemic. In order to prevent the use and abuse of addictive opiates, we are working together with law enforcement to remove these deadly drugs and the individuals who sell them, off of the street,” District Attorney Katayoun Copeland said in announcing the arrest of Donte T. Williams.
According to a released issued by the District Attorney’s office Tuesday afternoon, the recovered prescription pills included Percocet, Adderall and Xanax.
Williams, 31, of the 700 block of Burmont Road, is charged with four counts of possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and one count possession of a firearm prohibited. He is being held at the county prison in lieu of posting $50,000 bail.
It was on April 26 when county narcotics Detective Steven Bannar, Upper Darby Officer John News and other members of the Narcotics Task Force arrived at Williams’ residence with a search warrant. When police approached the property, they found Williams exercising in an enclosed courtyard area. Williams was immediately detained.
Williams, who reportedly waived his Miranda rights and spoke to police, indicated there was “a lot of weed” in the apartment in addition to a gun and $10,000 in cash. Inside the apartment, police allegedly found a .38 special revolver with a taped grip loaded with five .38 caliber bullets, in addition to marijuana in a large plastic bin and various sizes of sealed bags containing marijuana. As the search continued, police found 30 different prescription bottles and more than 1,000 pills including Percocet, Adderall, Xanax and various other controlled substances, the release states. Also allegedly confiscated was a black digital scale, as well as empty glass vials, bagging materials and a large vacuum sealer along with plastic bags. Police seized a dark blue Mercedes Benz C300, owned by the defendant.
Further investigation revealed the firearm was stolen.
“Our Narcotics Task Force is continually working to attack the source of these deadly drugs and aggressively arrest and prosecute drug dealers who are perpetuating this epidemic that is tearing families apart. In this case, due to the excellent investigative work of Detective Steven Bannar of the Criminal Investigation Division and Officer John News of the Upper Darby Township Police Department, with assistance from our Delaware County Narcotics Task Force, law enforcement was able to apprehend this dealer who was packaging and selling various drugs right here in our community,” Copeland said.
Deputy District Attorney Sharon McKenna will be prosecuting the case.