Search Turns Up Guns, Heroin, Crack, Cocaine, Marijuana: Delco DA

CHESTER, PA — Authorities in Delaware County found nearly a dozen firearms and copious amounts of drugs as part of a narcotics investigation in Chester and charged a Chester man as a result, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Jamel Abdul Covington, 28, of Chester, has been charged with 11 counts of felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, three counts of felony possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, and three counts of felony receiving stolen property, Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland and Chester Police Chief James Nolan IV said Thursday.

An investigation by the Chester Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Drug Task Force (DTF) resulted in the seizure of 11 firearms and ammunition, approximately 132 grams of heroin, 112 grams of crack cocaine, 44 grams of cocaine, and seven pounds of marijuana.

At about 4:55 p.m. on Sept. 18, Chester Narcotics Officer Tim Garron, along with other members of the Chester Police Department Narcotics Unit and CID Drug Task Force, officers executed a search warrant at a U-Haul self-storage unit located at 1600 Highland Avenue in Chester that was being rented by Covington.

During execution of the search warrant, the following firearms were located end seized from a black duffel bag:

• Glock 19 9 mm handgun
• Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun
• Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9 mm handgun
• Ruger Prescott .380 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number
• Walther PPK 9 mm/.380 caliber handgun with an altered serial number
• Firestorm .40 caliber handgun
• Taurus PTI 45 .45 caliber handgun
• Glock 30 .46 caliber handgun with an altered serial number
• Taurus PTB2AF 9 mm handgun
• Glock 33 .367 caliber handgun
• DT115 .223 caliber rifle

All but one of the firearms were loaded and four of the firearms had been reported stolen, the DA's office said.

In addition to the guns, five boxes and a plastic bag full of assorted caliber ammunition, as well as 10 handgun magazines of various sizes, were seized, according to the DA's office. Covington, having previously been convicted of felony drug trafficking charges, is not permitted to possess firearms.

Authorities also found the aforementioned drugs in the storage unit, the DA's office said.

Covington was arrested on Sept. 24 on a warrant, the DA's office said.

He was remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility after failing to post 10 percent of $1 million bail.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 3.