CHERAW, S.C. — Authorities ordered Cheraw Iron and Metal, Inc. to temporarily close on Tuesday after law enforcement executed a search warrant at 179 Legion Lane in Cheraw, recovering thousands of pounds of stolen railroad materials and utility wiring.
The raid followed an extensive investigation led by Capt. Angel Tubbs of the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office into a recent rise in thefts targeting Sandhill Telephone Company wiring and CSX Railroad infrastructure. The Sheriff’s Office executed the search warrant with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Immigration Unit and CSX Police.
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Inside the recycling facility, investigators recovered thousands of pounds of CSX Railroad tracks, spikes and related materials purchased by Cheraw Iron and Metal. Officers also seized wiring identified as property belonging to Sandhill Telephone Company. Under South Carolina law, buying, selling or transporting railroad track materials for recycling is illegal without explicit statutory authorization, including permission from the railroad company.
A further examination of the business revealed multiple violations of state laws governing secondary metals recycling. Authorities determined Cheraw Iron and Metal was operating without the required state permit to purchase regulated metals and failed to maintain required documentation and business records. Following the investigation, Sheriff Cambo Streater revoked the company’s authorization to purchase nonferrous metals and state authorities ordered the business closed until all statutory requirements are satisfied.
During the operation, the SLED Immigration Unit identified five employees suspected of violating immigration laws. SLED officers arrested all five individuals at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing.