The Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement received several complaints regarding illegal alcohol sales, underage drinking, and disorderly groups at regularly scheduled events held at the Sussex Memorial VFW Post 7422 in Millsboro. Neither the VFW or the promoter of the special events being held are licensed by the State of Delaware to sell alcoholic beverages. DATE agents conducted surveillance on multiple occasions and were able to secure a purchase of alcoholic beverages from inside. On Saturday, April 12th DATE agents executed a search warrant at Sussex Memorial VFW Post 7422. Agents seized a large amount of alcoholic beverages along with $696 in cash.

DATE agents arrested Ray O. Snead, 48 and Tykena M. Hagans, 24, both of Millsboro, and charged them both with Selling Alcohol Without a License and Illegal Storage of Alcohol. Both were later released.

The Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement was contacted by the Delaware State Police at 5:45am in reference to a subject they had stopped for speeding on I-95 who in possession of a large amount of cigarettes. The defendant, Elebechir Lehreitani, of Alexandria, Virginia was travelling north on I-95 in a 2014 Chevrolet Impala when he was stopped for speeding. During the course of the stop the trooper conducted a consent search of the vehicle and located 402 cartons of untaxed cigarettes concealed in the trunk. The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement was then notified of the incident.

A DATE agent responded to Troop 6 and determined that the 402 cartons were obtained in North Carolina and were being transported to an unknown destination. The cigarettes and $269.00 in cash were seized from Lehreitani. He was charged by DATE with Possession of Untaxed Cigarettes and Attempting to Evade Delaware Excise Tax. Delaware State Police issued Lehreitani a citation for speeding. He was later released on a $6,100.00 unsecured bail.

On Monday, February 24th, at approximately 4:15pm, a Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement agent was conducting a routine administrative check at South Dupont Liquors located at 157 S. Dupont Highway in New Castle when he noticed two young males inside.  Upon checking their identification one of them was discovered to be only 18 years of age.  Both subjects were acting suspicious and further investigation revealed that both subjects were from New York and were in Delaware to purchase a large amount of alcoholic beverages to transport back to New York in order to avoid state taxes.  Both subjects had in their possession a large amount of cash and a lengthy shopping list of various types of alcoholic liquor that they intended to purchase.  The agent arrested both individuals and they were charged with the above stated offenses. A total of $6,830.00 in cash was seized and both were later released to pending a future court date.

New Castle — A 25 year old New Castle man has been charged with dealing drugs after agents from the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement witnessed what appeared to be a drug transaction at an area WaWa.

On February 7, 2014, a plainclothes Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) Agent was standing outside of the WaWa located at 4000 N. DuPont Highway in New Castle and witnessed what appeared to be a hand to hand drug transaction near the fuel pumps. Other DATE agents that were in the area watched for the suspected dealer as he left the area on foot. The suspect, Kimjuana D. Jervey, was stopped and arrested without incident after he left the parking lot. He is accused of selling a baggie containing 3.8 grams of marijuana to another individual.

Jervey was charged with Drug Dealing and was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #20. He was later released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

New Castle — A 54 year old New Castle man faces drug and weapons charges after an investigation of tobacco sales by agents with the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement at a convenience store.

On February 7, the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) conducted undercover buys of unsealed cigarettes. While at T2 Food & Gas, located on Moores Lane in New Castle, the store manager sold a loose cigarette to an undercover DATE agent which is prohibited by state law. After arresting the manager and while conducting an inspection of the store’s tobacco products, Agents located a large bag of marijuana and a loaded .357 magnum in plain view behind the counter. Agents then obtained a search warrant for the business and seized 86 grams of marijuana, some of which was packaged for resale. The pistol and over $200 in cash was seized as well.

The store manager, Sher A. Khan, was charged with Drug Dealing (Possession with Intent to Distribute), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Advertisement of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Distribute Tobacco Products Unsealed by the Manufacturer. In addition, Khan was also found to have four outstanding capiases for his arrest for unrelated crimes. Khan was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #11 and incarcerated under a $5,700 secured bond.