Operation “Old School” Nets Multiple Arrests

Ricardo L. Barnaby

Barry V. Haith

Lamont K. McCove

Kent County– A multi-jurisdictional investigation into the illegal drug trafficking organization involving multiple subjects conducted by the Delaware State Police, Dover Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Delaware Probation and Parole, and other assisting agencies has concluded with the arrest or indictment of 20 individuals on over 200 felony charges.

Operation “Old School” concluded on January 3, 2019 after over a two year investigation into this drug trafficking organization.  The organization was responsible for a large scale distribution of cocaine and marijuana in and around Kent County Delaware.  The investigation began in June 2016, when the Dover DEA Drug Task Force consisting of Drug Enforcement Administration, Dover Police Department, and Delaware State Police identified a large-scale cocaine trafficking origination being operated in Kent and New Castle County, Delaware.  Through the investigation, detectives were able to establish that the illegal drug trafficking organization was headed by 44-year-old Ricardo L. Barnaby of New Castle, 44-year-old Barry V. Haith of Dover, and 39-year-old Lamont K. McCove of Harrington.  Also identified were several lower level members of the organization.

During the investigation a total of 10 search warrants were executed. The following items were seized as a result of the investigation and execution of the search warrants:

• 3,061.95 grams of cocaine
• 694.98 grams of marijuana
• 3.3 grams of THC oil
• 33.6 grams of crack cocaine
• (1) 40 caliber Handgun
• (3) 9mm Handguns
• (1) AR-15
• $96,011.00 in suspected drug proceeds
• Assorted ammunition
• 2008 Dodge Ram pickup truck (valued at $5,000.00)
• 2018 moped (valued at $2,000.00)
• Assorted drug paraphernalia

Ricardo L. Barnaby was charged with the following:

• Racketeering
• Possession with Intent to Deliver (PWITD) a Controlled Substance  (6 counts)
• Aggravated Possession (7 counts)
• Possession firearm/ammunition by person prohibited (2 counts)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Barnaby was arraigned and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $205,000.00 cash only bond.

Barry V. Haith was charged with the following:

• Racketeering
• Possession with Intent to Deliver (PWITD) a Controlled Substance  (23 counts)
• Aggravated Possession (11 counts)
• Conspiracy 2nd (18 counts)
• Criminal Solicitation (5 counts)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Reckless Endangering 2nd (4 counts)
• Resisting Arrest
• Tampering with Evidence
• Disregarding police signal
• Criminal Mischief over $5,000

Haith was arraigned and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $223,000.00 secured bond.

Lamont K. McCove was charged with the following:

• Racketeering
• Possession with Intent to Deliver (PWITD) a Controlled Substance (18 counts)
• Aggravated Possession (15 counts)
• Conspiracy 2nd (14 counts)
• Criminal Solicitation (4 counts)
• Possession Drug Paraphernalia (3 counts)
• Resisting Arrest
• Tampering with Evidence (2 counts)
• Disregarding a police signal

McCove was arraigned and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $301,000.00 cash only bond.

In addition to the above three defendants, 17 other individuals were indicted and/or arrested as part of the drug distribution organization for a total of 244 felony and 34 misdemeanor charges.  As of January 3, 2019 all suspects have been located and arrested.

Agencies that participated or assisted with the investigation included:

• Delaware Department of Justice
• US Attorney’s Office
• Delaware State Police
• Dover Police Department
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• Delaware National Guard
• New Jersey National Guard
• Maryland National Guard
• Philadelphia Police Department
• Wicomico Narcotics Task Force
• Salisbury Police Department

“This investigation demonstrates that the collaborative efforts of law enforcement continues to target and dismantle drug organizations across our state.  Through a variety of methods to include short term and long term investigations these efforts will continue as long as there are drug organizations that plague Delaware communities” said Colonel Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Superintendent of Delaware State Police.  “Thank you to our Troopers, prosecutors and all of our federal and local partners for their commitment to this investigation”.