Two arrested in Blades illegal gun sales

Delaware State Police report two arrests were made on Thursday after an investigation revealed illegal gun sales happening at a home in Blades.

The Pro-Active Criminal Enforcement team and Delaware State Police Troop 5 executed a search warrant at a home on West 2nd Street based on information about illegal firearm transactions.

39-year-old Dina Hawkins was taken into custody on the scene when police found two handguns, five assault-style weapons, four shotguns, two hunting rifles and more than 9,000 rounds of ammo.

Another resident of the home, 63-year-old John Phifer, was later taken into custody when he responded to Troop 5 on a different matter. He is charged with second degree conspiracy and three counts of giving a firearm to a felon.

Hawkins is charged with three counts of giving a firearm to a felon, 13 counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, second degree conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hawkins has been committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $42,000 secured bail. Phifer was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.