Investigation Leads to Drug Arrests

Three people have been arrested after a drug investigation involving the Ali Baba Smoke Shop in Dover. Two Magnolia men and one Dover man have been charged after the investigation.

Beginning in June 2025, detectives from the Kent County Drug Unit and Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) began investigating the smoke shop as well as the Liberty Happy Gas Station in Magnolia for suspicion of large-scale distribution of drugs. Throughout the investigation, detectives identified Maddyan Ata, 34 and Mohamed Lamar, 34 of Magnolia as well as Alex Gomez-McDowell, 20, of Dover, as suspects.

Troopers obtained warrants for their arrest which were executed on March 4, 2025, at the smoke shop and gas station. During the arrest, troopers discovered approximately 255 pounds of marijuana and marijuana products, drug paraphernalia related to the illegal sale and distribution of marijuana, fake urine used to mask drug use and defeat drug testing as well as approximately 1,818g of GPIA 7-hydroxymitragynine pills at the smoke shop.

At the gas station, troopers found 130 Viagra pills, two digital scales and drug paraphernalia.

Ata was taken into custody at Probation and Parole without incident and taken to Troop 3. He was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance; distribute, deliver, sell, possession with intent to distribute a drug masking product; maintaining a drug property; criminal nuisance conduct or maintaining a premise, place, resort for unlawful conduct; possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $249,300 cash bond.

Lamar was taken into custody at the gas station without incident and taken to Troop 3 where he was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and release don a $5,000 unsecured bond.

Gomez-McDonald was taken into custody at the smoke shop without incident and taken to Troop 3. He was charged with four counts of possession with intent to distribute. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on $10,000 unsecured bond.

NOTE:  All persons named in this report are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.