S.C. fentanyl crackdown continues with new round of indictments
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Enough fentanyl to kill 2 million people plus more than a million dollars in cash and multiple guns have all been seized as part of an ongoing South Carolina investigation into drug trafficking.
It’s called “Devil in Disguise” and on Monday, Attorney General Alan Wilson announced more charges and defendants in the yearslong investigation into the fentanyl problem in the Palmetto State.
Ten indictments have been issued in five counties against 108 defendants on over 380 narcotics and related charges.
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Eleven defendants appeared in court in Richland County on Monday for bond hearings – mostly facing drug trafficking charges.
A bill the General Assembly ed this year will create a new criminal charge of fentanyl-induced homicide carrying penalties of up to 30 years in prison for those who knowingly provide fentanyl to someone who then dies from it.
That fentanyl-induced homicide bill hasn’t yet gotten to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk – but he is expected to sign it into law once it reaches him.
“Possibly, absolutely. We want to put this law to work right away. As soon as the governor signs it, we’re going to ride it right away,” Wilson said.
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The investigation has mainly focused on fentanyl, which in addition to being sold on its own is being used to adulterate heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other illegal drugs.
The investigation so far has recovered over 44 kilograms of cocaine, 4 kilograms of fentanyl, and 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, among other drugs, according to Wilson.
The investigation has also seized over $1 million in cash from alleged narcotics proceeds, as well as multiple firearms, including assault rifles.
The investigation has revealed that of the various conspiracies have historically moved more than 540 kilograms of fentanyl since January of 2020, along with historical trafficking of approximately 850 kilograms of cocaine and 500 kilograms of methamphetamine, according to Wilson.
According to Wilson, Mexican cartel organizations would have of their organization already within the United States would fly to different locations to distribute shipments of cocaine, ultimately resulting in hundreds of kilograms being trafficked into South Carolina.
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Cartels would also coordinate with in U.S. prisons to have large loads of fentanyl smuggled into the U.S., then have other bring the drugs to South Carolina.
The latest phase of the investigation has largely focused on Greenville, Pickens and Anderson counties.
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