Search Warrant Leads to Arrest of Three and Recovery of Drugs and Stolen Gun

The Delaware State Police have arrested three people on numerous felony gun and narcotics charges following a several-month-long drug dealing investigation.

On the morning of January 19, 2023, members of the Sussex County Drug Unit, Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, and Special Operations Response Team executed a search warrant at a residence on the 10000 block of Rifle Range Road in Bridgeville. When troopers entered the home they saw Christopher Viruet running away from a bedroom. Viruet was taken into custody without incident in a second bedroom. Troopers also arrested Patricia Griffis and Jesus Torres inside of the house without incident.

A search of the home led to the discovery of the following:

Approximately 4.095 grams of suspected heroin
Approximately 57.11 grams of cocaine
Approximately 10.41 grams of crack cocaine
A loaded Glock handgun that had been altered to fire on fully automatic, reported as stolen in September 2021 by Federalsburg Police Department in Maryland
Numerous rounds of ammunition
Over $2,700 in suspected drug dealing proceeds

The residence was occupied by a 13-year-old boy and 10-year-old boy at the time. The two children were safely turned over to a relative.

Viruet, Griffis, and Torres were taken to Troop 4 and charged with the following crimes:

Christopher Viruet, 28, of Bridgeville, Delaware:

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 2 Quantity (Felony)
Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
Possession of a Destructive Weapon (Felony)
Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Endangering the Welfare of a Child – 2 counts
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Viruet was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $177,000 cash bond.

Patricia Griffis, 41, of Bridgeville, Delaware:

Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
Maintaining a Drug Property (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Endangering the Welfare of a Child – 2 counts
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Griffis was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $49,500 cash bond.

Jesus Torres, 32, of Dover, Delaware:

Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance in a Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Endangering the Welfare of a Child – 2 counts
Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2 counts
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Torres was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $43,500 cash bond.

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