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$3 Million in Fentanyl Seized on I-95 as South Carolina Battles Epidemic

CC News Network – By James Seidel

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. — Law enforcement officials in South Carolina are continuing their fight against the fentanyl epidemic after a major drug bust along I-95. Deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office seized over six pounds of fentanyl—valued at approximately $3 million—during a routine traffic stop on Wednesday, marking another alarming instance of the deadly synthetic opioid flooding communities across the state.

North Carolina Man Arrested with 300,000 Doses of Fentanyl

According to authorities, deputies pulled over a vehicle for speeding along I-95 and quickly developed reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. A narcotics detection K-9 alerted officers to the odor of drugs in the vehicle, leading to the discovery of a cardboard box containing more than six pounds of fentanyl—enough to produce approximately 300,000 lethal doses.

The driver, identified as 42-year-old Alex Gregory Aguilar, age 42, of 96 Scooter Lane, Cameron, NC was arrested on February 5, 2025, and charged with Trafficking in Fentanyl (S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-370(e)(9). He is currently being held at the Florence County Detention Center, awaiting a bond hearing.

Fentanyl Crisis in South Carolina and Nationwide

The seizure underscores the ongoing fentanyl crisis gripping South Carolina and the nation. The powerful synthetic opioid—up to 50 times stronger than heroin—is fueling an unprecedented wave of overdose deaths. According to the CDC, fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, surpassing car accidents, suicide, and gun violence.

South Carolina has not been immune to the devastation. In 2023 alone, the state recorded over 2,000 opioid-related deaths, with fentanyl present in more than 75% of cases. The situation is especially dire in rural and coastal regions, where traffickers exploit weak law enforcement coverage to funnel massive quantities of fentanyl through hidden routes.

CC News Network Investigating Drug Trafficking Through St. Helena Island

While the I-95 corridor is a well-known drug pipeline, CC News Network is currently investigating a major trafficking route in Beaufort County, where sources suggest fentanyl and other illicit drugs are being smuggled through St. Helena Island. Located along South Carolina’s coastline, St. Helena’s remote location and limited law enforcement presence make it an attractive point for traffickers moving narcotics into the Lowcountry.

CC News has uncovered growing evidence that cartels and organized crime groups are using the island as a waypoint for fentanyl shipments destined for Charleston, Savannah, and destinations beyond I-95. Local residents have reported an increase in suspicious activity, including boats arriving at odd hours and unmarked vehicles frequenting isolated areas.

Last week Chester County deputies have arrested a couple on drug trafficking charges after uncovering 3.7 pounds of fentanyl, $91,000 in cash, 17 firearms, 87 grams of crack cocaine, and two pounds of marijuana during a raid at a home on Berryhill Road in rural Edgemoor, SC.

Also last we wrote another story on unsolved murders in Beaufort County, more likely than not, surrounding the distribution of drugs.

Beaufort County, South Carolina, has a series of unsolved murders spanning over a decade, each marked by unique circumstances yet sharing disturbing commonalities. Despite the passage of time, justice remains elusive for the victims and their families, with investigators grappling to solve these cases. Here’s a look at these unsolved crimes and what they may have in common.

The Cases: A Timeline of Violence on St. Helena Island in South Carolina

Raymundo Lopez (April 25, 2011) Unsolved Murder
Lopez, 28, was found shot multiple times in his Seaside Road home on St. Helena Island. Witnesses described him as a known marijuana and cocaine dealer, and robbery appeared to be the motive. Items were missing from his home, but no suspects have been identified.
Julius Chaplin (October 5, 2011) Unsolved Murder
Chaplin, 44, was shot to death in his driveway on Fripp Point Road. Witnesses heard gunfire and a vehicle speeding off, but no one could provide a description. Evidence indicated multiple firearms were used. A day later, Joe Washington, a person of interest in Chaplin’s murder, was killed.
Joe Washington (October 6, 2011) Unsolved Murder
Washington, 32, died after being shot in his vehicle, which then struck a utility pole and caught fire on Folly Road, St. Helena Island. Investigators recovered a handgun linked to Chaplin’s murder from Washington’s vehicle, suggesting a possible retaliation motive.
Octavius Moultrie (April 10, 2012) Unsolved Murder
Moultrie, 23, was gunned down on Fawnwood Lane in Seabrook. Witnesses reported two men exiting an SUV and firing at Moultrie, who attempted to flee before succumbing to his injuries. Suspects were identified, but no charges have been filed.

Antonio Brewer (March 20, 2015) Unsolved Murder
Brewer, 34, was shot in the parking lot of Port Royal Apartments in front of his girlfriend and young child. Witnesses described the shooter and an accomplice fleeing in a gray car, possibly a Honda or Toyota. Brewer’s murder may have been an attempt to prevent him from testifying in a court case.

Marquise Tyquan Singleton (July 31, 2016) Unsolved Murder
Singleton, 21, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in his vehicle on Sam Doyle Drive. Despite being transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. No suspects or witnesses have been identified.

Common Threads

While the circumstances of these murders vary, several patterns emerge:

Gun Violence
All the cases involve firearms, with most victims shot multiple times, meaning the killers were making sure they were dead. This trend highlights a concerning prevalence of gun violence in Beaufort County, especially in targeted attacks.
Targeted Killings
Many of the victims appear to have been deliberately targeted rather than being victims of random violence. This includes:
- Joe Washington (possibly killed in retaliation for Chaplin’s murder).
- Antonio Brewer (allegedly targeted to prevent court testimony).
Connections to Criminal Activity
Some victims were linked to criminal behavior, such as drug dealing (e.g., Lopez) or involvement in legal disputes (e.g., Brewer). While this doesn’t justify their deaths, it may have played a role in the motives.
Lack of Witness Cooperation
Despite evidence and witnesses in several cases, many murders remain unsolved due to uncooperative witnesses or insufficient evidence to support charges.
Geographical Concentration
Several murders occurred on St. Helena Island, suggesting a localized issue within this area of Beaufort County. Here is a map of the murders clustered together.

Unsolved Cases Linked to Retaliation
The murders of Julius Chaplin and Joe Washington highlight a potential cycle of retaliatory violence, with the recovered firearm tying the two cases together.

South Carolina’s Response: Is It Enough?

Despite law enforcement efforts like the Florence County and Chester County fentanyl busts, South Carolina continues to struggle with keeping the deadly drug off its streets. Many critics argue that more aggressive policies—including harsher penalties for traffickers and increased border security—are needed to curb the crisis.

As CC News Network continues its investigation, we will be asking tough questions:

Who is supplying the fentanyl flooding South Carolina?
How is it getting into the state?
What are law enforcement agencies doing to stop it?
Why are rural areas like St. Helena becoming key trafficking hubs?

If there are illegal drugs being brought to this remote island, how would they get to the mainland? First of all, you’d find a deserted and quiet piece of property off of the Harbor River. Dark, quiet, away from prying eyes, and close to Hwy 21 and to I-95. Jerry Rivers, alleged drug dealer to Alex Murdaugh, told CC News Network that tow trucks are often used to transport drugs hidden in vehicles being towed. Rivers, who owned his own tow truck, revealed that it’s a common method for moving drugs undetected, as drivers typically don’t inspect the contents of the vehicles they haul. Rivers also allegedly supplied drugs to Curtis “Eddie” Smith, Murdaugh’s distant cousin and alleged accomplice in various schemes, including drug distribution. While tow truck drivers are generally not held liable for drugs found in towed vehicles unless they are aware of or complicit in the crime, Rivers’ admission sheds light on the creative tactics often used to traffic drugs and the connections that tied Murdaugh to illicit activities.

The Bottom Arrow is Murdaugh Island. If Drugs Can Get Here, then be Offloaded, and Brought to Shore in the Red Circle. They can be Offloaded and hit Hwy 21 (top Arrow), then to I-95 and Then They are Gone for Good.

In South Carolina, a tow truck driver is generally not responsible for drugs found in a car they are towing, as long as the driver is not aware of or involved in the presence of the drugs.

Constructive Possession: In South Carolina, constructive possession of drugs requires knowledge of the drugs and the ability to control them. A tow truck driver unknowingly transporting a car with drugs would not meet this standard.
Good Faith Defense: Tow truck drivers can claim they were performing their job in good faith without knowledge of any illegal substances in the towed vehicle.

One thing is clear—fentanyl is killing South Carolinians at an alarming rate, and without decisive action, the crisis will only worsen.

Stay with CC News Network for exclusive updates on our investigation into drug trafficking in South Carolina.

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