17 charged in Lancaster meth, heroin, fentanyl ring after 2 year investigation

LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. — Authorities said 17 people have been charged for drug trafficking and gun-related crimes after a two year investigation in Lancaster County.

Officials said eight people were arrested Friday, four were already in custody, and police are still searching for five others.

Following a drug trafficking ring investigation that lasted more than two years, authorities seized various quantities of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, 16 firearms and ammunition.

“Operations like these leave our communities safer and more stable than they were before; the people of South Carolina deserve nothing less,” said U.S. Attorney McCoy. “We will continue to work tirelessly with our federal, state, and local partners to dismantle large-scale, organized drug-dealing organizations, which cause untold levels of harm to end users, their families, and their communities.”

The charges include 47 counts of alleged violations of federal narcotics, firearm and counterfeit laws for conduct spanning from February 2017 to the present. Specifically, the indictment by the federal Grand Jury alleges defendants distributed and possessed with intent to distribute, fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine, and that some defendants “violated federal firearms laws including by possessing or using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.”

The following people have been charged in the case:

• Clarence Grover Kirk III, 38, of Rock Hill
• William Earl Belk, 29, of Lancaster
• Celeste Allen Pardue, 47, of Lancaster
• Rachell Nichole House, 32, of Lancaster
• Berry Allen McIlwain Jr., 30, of Lancaster
• Richard Hopkins, 30, of Lancaster
• Christopher Lynn Love, 44, of Lancaster
• Scott Charles Catledge Jr., 27, of Lancaster
• Dustin Robert Barton, 33, of Lancaster
• Ezekiel T. Williams, 23, of Lancaster
• Larry Christopher Craig, 50, of Lancaster
• In a related case, Dennis Lee Williams, 29, of Lancaster, was charged with violating federal firearms laws.

Police find over 700 pounds of meth concealed in clay pots, roof tiles shipped from Mexico (NCD)

“Today was a good day in Lancaster County,” said Sheriff Barry S. Faile. “Our Drug Task Force agents, along with agents from several of our state and federal partners, have been working for many months on investigating this alleged wide-ranging conspiracy. I appreciate the help we got from all quarters in bringing this operation to a close.”

The ATF and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Lancaster Police Department and the Sixth Circuit Solicitor’s Office in the investigation.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

Cox Media Group