A simple walk near the Radnor Green neighborhood in Claymont on April 12 turned into something no one expected. A child and a young adult came across grocery bags in the woods, later confirmed to contain 14,088 individual fentanyl packets.
Police say the discovery could have ended very differently. Authorities noted that finding such a large amount left in the woods is highly unusual, and emphasized that even brief contact with fentanyl can be extremely dangerous.
The discovery happened on April 12 near Miles Road in Claymont, when a child and a young adult were walking through the woods close to the Radnor Green neighborhood. They came across grocery bags and stopped, unsure what they were looking at.
According to New Castle County Police Master Cpl. Richard Chambers, “The kids were out playing, they were exploring the woods on a beautiful Sunday, and they stumbled upon a grocery bag.” One of them suspected something was wrong and chose to speak up.
That decision mattered. Chambers explained that a young girl believed the contents could be narcotics and reported it to a family member, who contacted police. Officers later confirmed the bags contained 14,088 individual fentanyl packets, packed into two larger brick-style bundles.
When officers reached the area near Miles Road in Claymont, they secured the bags and confirmed the contents were packaged fentanyl arranged in larger brick-style bundles. The quantity and packaging pointed clearly toward distribution level activity rather than isolated or accidental presence.
Richard Chambers said the amount stood out because it was left in an open area. “I have not seen this amount just randomly located in the woods,” he explained, pointing to how unusual it is for such a large quantity to be abandoned like that.
The danger was immediate and serious. Chambers warned that even a tiny amount can be deadly, explaining that one grain, about the size of salt, can kill multiple people. If the children had opened the bags or touched the substance, the outcome could have been far worse.
The location of the discovery changed how people in Claymont and the Radnor Green area are thinking about risk. Richard Chambers said, “It’s in everybody’s neighborhood,” making it clear this is not limited to certain areas or situations.
What stands out is how close this came to becoming a tragedy. A child and a young adult found the bags on April 12, and if they had handled them differently, exposure could have turned serious within seconds, especially with fentanyl at that scale.
For the community, this becomes a warning not just a headline. Police are asking residents to report anything unusual immediately and avoid touching unknown substances, because even brief contact can carry real risk, especially with drugs this potent and widely distributed.
The discovery has pushed a wider conversation about how large quantities of fentanyl can end up in open areas without warning. Richard Chambers said the situation stood out, raising questions about distribution patterns and how close these risks are to everyday life.
Police are now asking the public to stay alert and report anything unusual. The department said anyone with information should contact the New Castle County Division of Police at 302-573-2800 or call 911, adding they do not expect claims but welcome tips that help protect the community.