Operation Safe Streets Makes Significant Drug Bust

Beth Welch
Chief of Media Relations
302-739-5601 ext. 232
September 27, 2002

*Press Release*
"Operation Safe Streets" Makes Significant Drug Bust DOC Probation Officers & DSP Team Up
DOVER - Probation Officers, working with Delaware State Police on "Operation Safe Streets", have made a significant drug bust, taking more than 300 grams of cocaine off the streets.
On September 11, 2002, a Probation Officer from the Georgetown Office received information that a probationer had recently transported a large amount of cocaine to Delaware from New York City. The officer passed on the information to "Operation Safe Streets". On September 12, 2002, the Safe Streets team, made up of Probation Officers and Delaware State Police, responded to an address in Lewes for a search of the probationer's residence. During the search, Officers discovered a suitcase containing a large amount of what appeared to be cocaine. Tests later revealed the substance to be cocaine weighing 333.1 grams. This amount of cocaine has a value of between $10,000-$30,000.
Officers arrested Byron Johnson, 31, Angela Supplee, 32, and Maurice Patterson, 28. Johnson was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, maintaining a dwelling, conspiracy second degree, possession of drug paraphernalia (4 counts) and endangering the welfare of a child. Supplee was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, maintaining a dwelling, conspiracy second degree, possession of drug paraphernalia (5 counts) and endangering the welfare of a child. Patterson was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy second degree and possession of drug paraphernalia (3 counts). Johnson and Patterson are being held at the Sussex Correctional Institution. Supplee is being held at the Baylor Women's Correctional Institution.
"Operation Safe Streets" partners state adult and juvenile probation and parole officers with State and local police. Teams target "hot spots" and actively track high-risk probationers who have violent offenses in their criminal histories.
Using timely crime data, officers comb specific violent crime and drug activity "hot spots". Teams also conduct unannounced spot-checks at the homes and hang-outs of high-risk probationers - ensuring they are adhering to the strict terms of their probation and curfews.
2002 Press Release Archive