Thirteen individuals from South Carolina have been indicted by a grand jury for their alleged involvement in a significant narcotics trafficking operation. The announcement was made by S.C. United States Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs.
The Charges
The indictment accuses these individuals of conspiring to possess and distribute substantial quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, with activities reportedly beginning in January 2016.
Defendants in Federal Court
On Wednesday, July 31, ten of the accused appeared in federal court:
- Timothy Gayton, 32, of Rock Hill
- Clifton Mickles, 43, of Rock Hill
- Quincey Jackson, 40, of Columbia
- Elijah Rhodes, 42, of Columbia
- Desane Washington, 19, of Summerton
- Shane Bennett, 32, of Summerton
- Byron Canty, 35, of Rowesville
- James Croslen, Jr., 48, of Summerton
- Kenneth Robinson, 46, of Columbia
- Richard Ragin, 46, of Columbia
Three additional defendants are currently being sought by law enforcement. U.S. Attorney Boroughs emphasized that each individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Investigation Details
This case is part of an extensive Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, which aims to identify and dismantle criminal organizations at both local and international levels.
Law Enforcement Collaboration
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, including:
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- FBI Columbia Field Office
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office
- Lexington County Sheriff’s Department
- City of Columbia Police Department
- Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Stay tuned to Crime and Cask for further updates on this case as we continue to follow the developments and seek justice for those affected by these alleged criminal activities.