NEWS RELEASE: Councilmember James Spadola Leads Effort to Restore Former Drug-Linked Property on North Union Street
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Councilmember James Spadola Leads Effort to Restore Former Drug-Linked Property on North Union Street
Councilmember James Spadola removes graffiti on the former drug-linked property at 114 North Union Street in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo by Yesenia Taveras, director of communications for Wilmington City Council.
Wilmington, DE – Councilmember James Spadola is spearheading efforts to reclaim one of Wilmington’s most notorious problem properties at 114 North Union Street. On Monday, August 24, 2025, Spadola welcomed Mayor John Carney to the site, where they began removing graffiti that had scarred the building for years.
“This building has been an eyesore for far too long,” said Councilmember Spadola. “I appreciate Mayor Carney, the City of Wilmington’s Constituent Services Division, and Downtown Visions for joining me in starting the cleanup. Removing graffiti is just the first part, the more important step will be putting this property in the hands of a new owner who can truly revitalize it.”
Councilmember James Spadola works to remove graffiti on the former drug-linked property at 114 North Union Street in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo by Yesenia Taveras, director of communications for Wilmington City Council.
The property, once owned by Zemi Property Management Inc., became infamous when its former owner, Omar “El Tigre” Colon, and his wife Shakira Martinez, were convicted of running a multimillion-dollar drug trafficking and money laundering operation with ties to the Sinaloa cartel. Their activities drew national headlines, culminating in the seizure of millions in drugs and cash and the discovery of an underground bunker at their Bear, Delaware home.
A major turning point came very recently, when the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) formally received ownership of the North Union Street property following the United States Department of Justice’s successful court battle. With ORE Financial serving as the interim property manager, the property is now ready for auction: opening the door for a new, law-abiding owner to bring the site back into productive use.
Councilmember James Spadola and Mayor John Carney work with the City of Wilmington’s Constituent Services Division and Downtown Visions to remove graffiti on the property at 114 North Union Street in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo by Yesenia Taveras, director of communications for Wilmington City Council.
Spadola concluded: “I also want to thank the U.S. Department of Justice, who prosecuted this case, and ORE Financial, who is managing the property until auction. Both have kept me informed throughout the process and ensured this property is finally on the path to redemption.”
Interested parties can contact real estate agent Tom Skiffington at 215 – 453 – 7653, and browse other properties the USMS is auctioning off by visiting reallook.com.
For more information on what to expect when buying US Marshall assets, visit the link here.
Graffiti is completely removed from the exterior of the former drug-linked property at 114 North Union Street in Wilmington, Delaware.
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MEDIA INQUIRIES:Yesenia TaverasDirector of Communications, Wilmington City CouncilOffice: (302)576-2585
Mobile: (302)757-5748Email: ytaveras@wilmingtonde.govCity Council Website: www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com