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South Carolina’s Overdose Crisis: The 10 Hardest-Hit Counties and the Role of Fentanyl

By James Seidel, CC News Network

COLUMBIA, S.C. –Overdose Crisis: South Carolina is grappling with a devastating overdose epidemic, with new data revealing the top 10 counties most affected by fatal drug overdoses. As fentanyl seizures and drug busts increase across the state, the latest report from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), now the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) sheds light on where the crisis is hitting hardest and the drugs most commonly involved.

The 10 Counties with the Highest Overdose Deaths

According to 2022 overdose statistics, these South Carolina counties reported the highest number of fatal overdoses in our Overdose Crisis:

Greenville County – 287 deaths (231 opioid-related, 130 fentanyl-related)
Charleston County – 220 deaths (174 opioid-related, 45 fentanyl-related)
Horry County – 233 deaths (192 opioid-related, 57 fentanyl-related)
Spartanburg County – 193 deaths (154 opioid-related, 77 fentanyl-related)
Richland County – 132 deaths (104 opioid-related, 40 fentanyl-related)
Lexington County – 125 deaths (106 opioid-related, 56 fentanyl-related)
York County – 109 deaths (96 opioid-related, 36 fentanyl-related)
Florence County – 82 deaths (66 opioid-related, 21 fentanyl-related)
Aiken County – 89 deaths (73 opioid-related, 37 fentanyl-related)
Berkeley County – 70 deaths (57 opioid-related, 28 fentanyl-related)

Largest Fentanyl Bust in Chester County History Leads to Drug Trafficking Arrests

EDGEMOOR, S.C. – Chester County deputies arrested a couple 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.

Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey called it the largest fentanyl seizure in county history, underscoring the deadly impact the synthetic opioid has had on communities in a Overdose Crisis.

“This amount of fentanyl could have caused countless overdoses,” Dorsey said. “We are committed to fighting the flow of this deadly drug into our county and holding those responsible accountable.”

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

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. – In a major drug bust along I-95, law enforcement officials seized over six pounds of fentanyl—valued at approximately $3 million—from a vehicle during a routine traffic stop. The driver, 42-year-old Alex Gregory Aguilar of Cameron, N.C., was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Fentanyl under South Carolina law.

Authorities noted that the amount seized equates to approximately 300,000 lethal doses, highlighting the serious threat posed by fentanyl trafficking.

CC News Network Investigating Drug Trafficking Through St. Helena Island

While I-95 remains a well-known drug corridor, investigators at CC News Network are looking into a major fentanyl pipeline operating through St. Helena Island.

Sources suggest that traffickers are using St. Helena’s remote coastal access to smuggle drugs into South Carolina before distribution to Charleston, Savannah, and other cities. Local residents report suspicious boating activity and unmarked vehicles, fueling concerns about cartel involvement causing our Overdose Crisis.

Unsolved Murders and Drug Distribution in Beaufort County

Law enforcement is also investigating a decade-long series of unsolved murders in Beaufort County, many of which may be linked to the local drug trade. Among these cases:

Raymundo Lopez (April 25, 2011) – A known drug dealer, Lopez was found shot multiple times in his Seaside Road home.
Julius Chaplin (October 5, 2011) – Shot in his driveway on Fripp Point Road, potentially linked to drug-related disputes.
Antonio Brewer (March 20, 2015) – Shot in a parking lot, possibly killed to prevent testimony in a court case.

South Carolina’s Response: Is It Enough?

Despite large fentanyl seizures and law enforcement crackdowns, the crisis continues to escalate. Officials argue that tougher penalties for drug traffickers, expanded addiction treatment options, and increased border security are essential to curbing the epidemic.

As CC News Network continues its investigation, we will ask:

Who is supplying the drugs flooding South Carolina?
How is it being transported into the state?
What role do cartels and organized crime play?
Are state and federal responses adequate?
Are police protecting drug informants or CI’s?

The numbers don’t lie—fentanyl is killing South Carolinians at an unprecedented rate. Without aggressive action, the crisis will only worsen.

Stay with CC News Network for exclusive updates on South Carolina’s fentanyl epidemic, drug trafficking, and law enforcement response, or lack thereof.