Dewey Beach motel fight leads to drug arrests

 (photo courtesy Delaware State Police)

(photo courtesy Delaware State Police)

Delaware State Police seized $19,000 in suspected drug proceeds along with a gun, cocaine, and marijuana after investigating an assault at the Sea Esta IV motel in Dewey Beach.

Police were called to the motel Friday and found two victims who they say were attacked during a drug related incident. The victims were taken to Beebe Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

State Police worked with Rehoboth Beach Police to determine that the suspects were staying at a home on Norwood St. in West Rehoboth. When they arrived at the home, police say they found crack cocaine and marijuana in plain view. They also found two children under five years old in the home.

Police arrested 29-year-old Ardarius Cato and 29-year-old Marteze Waples inside the home. Police say 25-year-old Brandon White was also in the home and tried to escape, but was quickly arrested by police.

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Police say after searching the home, they found more than 63 grams of crack cocaine, 44 grams of marijuana, a .380 automatic handgun and more than $19,600 in suspected drug proceeds. They also found two children under five years old in the home. Both children belonged to Waples and were turned over to a family member.

A fourth suspect in the assault, 30-year-old Victorian West, turned herself into police in Lewes.

All four suspects face a host of charges including assault, drug and weapons counts. 

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