Authorities Report Significant Pot Busts

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) narcotics investigators and allied local law enforcement agencies had a busy, but productive week with three significant marijuana trafficking busts, including four arrests and the seizure of nearly five pounds of weed with an estimated street value of $43,000.

The marijuana trafficking arrest spree began last Wednesday with a traffic stop in Worcester County and concluded with fourth bust last Friday. On Dec. 7, OCPD detectives, in cooperation with the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, conducted a traffic stop during which police recovered nearly two pounds of marijuana having an estimated street value of $14,000.

During the traffic stop and subsequent seizure, the OCPD arrested the two occupants of the vehicle — Kimo Earl Grant-Johnson, 24, of Ocean City; and Daniel James Stuart, 21, of Selbyville, Del. During the investigation, police developed sufficient probable cause to obtain two different search and seizure warrants for Grant-Johnson’s Ocean City residence and another residence in Selbyville.

With the assistance of the Delaware State Police, the search and seizure warrant was executed at the Selbyville residence, resulting in the recovery of a pound and half of marijuana valued at an estimated $14,000. In addition, investigators located a quantity of marijuana at Grant-Johnson’s residence in Ocean City. Stuart and Grant-Johnson were each charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

The next day, on Dec. 8, OCPD narcotics detectives, assisted by the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, served a search and seizure warrant on a residence on 8th Street in Ocean City and located roughly one pound of marijuana with an estimated street value of $9,000.

The unit’s resident, identified as Robert Wayne Pippin, Jr., 32, of Ocean City, was arrested and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute along with possession of paraphernalia. Pippen was taken before a District Court Commissioner and was ordered held on a $25,000 bond before being transferred to the Worcester County Jail.

Finally, on Dec. 9, OCPD detectives and the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence on Tunnel Ave. in north Ocean City and recovered a half of a pound of pot valued at $4,700. The unit’s resident, Robert Francis Grandelli, 43, of Ocean City, was arrested and charged with possession, possession with intent to distribute, and possession of CDS paraphernalia. He was also ordered to be held on a $25,000 bond before being transferred to the county jail.