Feds Seize 150+ Pounds of Fentanyl in SC — Largest Bust in State History

A Major Fentanyl Seizure in South Carolina

A significant drug bust has taken place in South Carolina, marking what is believed to be the largest fentanyl seizure in the state's history. The operation began with a tip and a traffic stop in the Midlands region, leading to an unprecedented discovery of the deadly opioid.

Federal authorities have confirmed that over 71 kilograms (approximately 156 pounds) of fentanyl was seized during coordinated traffic stops in the Midlands. This amount is enough to kill every person in South Carolina, as well as the entire populations of North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee combined. U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “This was enough to kill the state of South Carolina, every citizen here, seven times. That should scare everyone.”

The operation was initiated after the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received a tip about a large shipment of fentanyl entering the Midlands. Law enforcement conducted surveillance at multiple truck stops in the Gaston area of Lexington County overnight on June 30 and into the early morning hours of July 1. During this time, they observed a box being transferred from a tractor-trailer to a passenger vehicle, which raised their suspicions.

Following this, agents from the DEA, deputies from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and officers from the South Carolina State Transport Police stopped both vehicles. A search of the vehicles uncovered the fentanyl, along with nearly 50 pounds of methamphetamine. The total estimated street value of the seized drugs is $1.7 million.

Stirling praised the collaboration between different law enforcement agencies, saying, “I’ve never seen coordination like this. The relationships that are built in this state lead to seizures like this, lead to arrests, and protect our citizens.”

According to investigators, the narcotics were sourced in Mexico and entered California through the southern border before being transported to South Carolina. Some of the drugs were destined for other states along the East Coast and even the Midwest. Tooley, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the DEA’s Columbia field office, noted that the agency has already seized six times the amount of fentanyl in South Carolina this year compared to the previous year.

Tooley warned about the dangers of counterfeit pills and illicit drugs, emphasizing that cartels show no regard for human life. “We know that these organizations, these cartels, have no regard for human life. We know that they’re going to continue to flood our community with this dangerous poison. And we know that one pill can kill,” he said.

Prosecutors identified two brothers, Alberto Rios-Landeros and Chris Guadalupe Rios-Landeros, both from California, as the operators of the tractor-trailer. They were federally indicted on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. Each faces up to life in prison. A third individual, Silvano Jimenez-Cardenas, is facing state drug trafficking charges in Lexington County. Authorities revealed that Jimenez-Cardenas, a Mexican national, had been deported twice, most recently in May 2015. The Rios-Landeros brothers were legally present in the United States.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon expressed pride in the collaboration among agencies, stating, “This was a great example of how law enforcement works together to make our community safer. I am proud of the work and collaboration of all of the agencies involved to take this massive amount of drugs off our streets. This should send a strong message to criminals that we are all working together to combat illegal drugs.”

The seizure was part of a broader initiative called “Operation Take Back America,” led by the Trump Department of Justice. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted the growing threat of fentanyl entering the country, stating, “With these cartels, it’s coming back, it’s coming in more than ever. The border has stopped that, but we’re going to catch them and we’re going to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”