Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

Detectives Arrest Man for Felony Gun and Drug Related Charges Following Drug Investigation in New Castle County

Date Posted: Friday, July 19th, 2024

Evidence

The Delaware State Police, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, arrested 41-year-old Ziare Miller of Middletown, Delaware, for felony gun and drug related charges following the conclusion of a several-month long drug investigation in New Castle County yesterday morning.

In the early morning hours of July 17, 2024, members of the New Castle County Governor’s Task Force, Troop 2 Drug Unit, and Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team executed search warrants at a residence on Goodwick Drive in Middletown, and a business property associated with Ziare Miller on South Dupont Highway in New Castle. The search warrants were obtained following a several-month long drug investigation with the FBI of Ziare Miller, who was suspected of the large-scale distribution of narcotics. Miller was taken into custody at his residence on Goodwick Drive without incident.

A search of the two properties led to the discovery of the following items:

2 loaded handguns
Multiple rounds of ammunition
Approximately 348 grams of a fentanyl, heroin, and xylazine mixture
Approximately $7,600 in suspected drug dealing proceeds
Various paraphernalia to include digital scales, hot plates, and distribution/packaging materials

Following the execution of the search warrants, detectives were successful in determining that Miller was operating a heroin processing mill and cocaine distribution center from the location on South Dupont Highway due to the evidence discovered inside the business. The recovered evidence indicated that the approximately 348 grams of heroin mixture seized prevented approximately 50,000 bags of heroin from being manufactured and distributed throughout the State of Delaware.

A computer inquiry revealed Miller is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms and/or ammunition. Miller was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $203,000 cash bond.

Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possess a Firearm if Previously Convicted of Two Violent Felonies (Felony) – 2 counts
Possess a Deadly Weapon by Person Prohibited who also Possesses Controlled Substance (Felony)
Unlawful to Knowingly Operate Clandestine Laboratory (Felony)
Possess Firearm or Ammunition by Person Prohibited (Felony)
Maintaining a Drug Property (Felony)