Head of drug ring sought

Delaware State Police are searching for the leader of a Sussex County drug-trafficking organization and six others connected with the ring.

Dubbed Operation Dawg House by police, a multi-state enforcement operation began in 2020 and resulted in the largest seizure of pre-packaged heroin in Delaware history. The main seizure was 2,500 logs of heroin with a street value of about $1.6 million. Police also seized three vehicles, three firearms, $65,000 in cash, and more than a pound of marijuana.

Investigators traced cellophane baggies of heroin to George Johnson, 40, of Bridgeville, the head of an operation that included 34 people distributing and selling heroin and fentanyl to buyers, said Master Cpl. Heather Pepper of the Delaware State Police.

Johnson’s organization was targeted due to the increase of heroin overdoses and heroin-possession cases occurring in Sussex County, and in Worcester County, Md., she said. In Delaware, 16 overdose cases were reported, four of which were fatal. In Maryland, two overdose deaths occurred in Worcester and Wicomico counties. 

In total, 55 individuals were indicted or arrested on street warrants. Currently, 46 individuals have been arrested on 286 felony charges and 38 misdemeanor charges. Also, two individuals are in custody in Maryland pending extradition on seven felony charges.

Johnson, who may be in the Laurel area, is wanted on charges of felony racketeering, seven counts of felony second-degree conspiracy, 33 felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in tier 3 quantity, and felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Also wanted are six people who sold Johnson’s product, police said.

These include Allen White, 35, of Georgetown; Andre Washington, 27, of Seaford; Kevin Ricketts, 59, of Seaford; Semeion Reed, 21, of Georgetown; Courtney Cahall, 35, of Delmar; and Brian Bell, 34, of Ocean View. 

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the wanted individuals is asked to contact Delaware State Police Troop 4 at 302-856-5850, Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or delawarecrimstoppers.com, or send a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police.