When police investigate alleged drugs rings, they often put hours of manpower into the groundwork before arrests are made.
This appears to have been the case in Kershaw County, South Carolina where investigators said they arrested nine of 12 suspects after a lengthy narcotics investigation.
The State reported on how the drug arrests started with a traffic stop in Bethune on April 2, according to Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews.
"It was widely known in the Town of Bethune and surrounding areas, as well as by the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, that there was a group of individuals who had been selling drugs in and around Bethune, virtually unimpeded over many years," Matthews stated.
The investigation brought in a number of agencies including State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agents. The news report stated a sworn SLED agent "made several hand to hand purchases of crack cocaine, marijuana and assorted pharmaceutical controlled drugs," according to Matthews. The buys were made under the watch of Kershaw County Sheriff's Office narcotics officers and SLED agents. The process took several months.
The State reported on how SLED agents, Kershaw County deputies, and the Bethune Chief of Police picked up and arrested people who they said sold drugs to undercover agents.
The ages of those arrested ranged from 26 to 56. They were hit with charges including possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, distribution of narcotics within proximity to a park and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.
South Carolina comes down hard on drug charges. If you are charged with possessing less than one ounce of marijuana in South Carolina, you face a $200 fine and up to 30 days in jail, while being caught with more than an ounce makes you liable to a $1,000 fine and as much as a year behind bars.
Individuals who have been accused of involvement in selling drugs such as crack cocaine, over a series of years, face the prospect of lengthy jail sentences. When a number of agencies have been involved in a lengthy investigation, the evidence against you may seem overwhelming. But police often cut corners and make mistakes. It's important to hire an experienced Columbia drug crimes defense attorney to fight for your rights. Masella Law Firm, P.A. has nearly 30 years of experience defending clients charged with drug crimes. Call us at 803.938.4952.