Largest Fentanyl Bust in South Carolina History: 150+ Pounds Seized

A Major Fentanyl Seizure in South Carolina

A significant law enforcement operation in South Carolina has led to what is believed to be the largest fentanyl seizure in the state’s history. This unprecedented bust highlights the ongoing challenges of combating the opioid crisis and the coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local agencies.

The operation began with a tip that led to a traffic stop in the Midlands region. As a result, law enforcement officials uncovered an enormous quantity of fentanyl—enough to kill every person in South Carolina, plus the entire populations of North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee combined. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, 71 kilograms (approximately 156 pounds) of fentanyl was seized during “coordinated traffic stops” in the area.

“This was enough to kill the state of South Carolina, every citizen here, seven times. That should scare everyone,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling in an interview. The scale of this seizure underscores the severity of the fentanyl epidemic and the potential threat it poses to communities across the country.

The DEA’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Michael Tooley, explained that the operation started with a tip last month about a large shipment of fentanyl entering the Midlands. Law enforcement officers monitored 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. During the searches, they found not only the fentanyl but also nearly 50 pounds of methamphetamine. The total estimated street value of the narcotics was $1.7 million.

“This level of coordination is rare. The relationships built in this state lead to seizures like this, arrests, and ultimately, protection of our citizens,” Stirling emphasized.

The Source and Distribution of the Drugs

Investigations suggest that the drugs originated in Mexico and were transported through California before reaching South Carolina. The state was the final destination for some of the drugs, while others were intended for distribution along the East Coast and even into the Midwest.

Tooley noted that the DEA has already seized six times more fentanyl in South Carolina this year than it did in the entire previous year. This alarming trend highlights the growing presence of fentanyl in the United States and the urgent need for continued vigilance.

“Kids need to be on the lookout for any fake pills or illicit pills. We know that these organizations, these cartels, have no regard for human life. They’re going to continue to flood our community with this dangerous poison. And we know that one pill can kill,” Tooley warned.

The Individuals Involved

Prosecutors identified two brothers, Alberto Rios-Landeros and Chris Guadalupe Rios-Landeros, both from California, as operating the tractor-trailer involved in the drug transport. Both were federally indicted on Tuesday and face up to life in prison for charges related to conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.

A third individual, Silvano Jimenez-Cardenas, is facing state drug trafficking charges in Lexington County. Authorities revealed that Jimenez-Cardenas is a Mexican national who had been deported twice, most recently in May 2015. In contrast, the Rios-Landeros brothers were legally residing in the United States.

A Message to Criminals

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon praised the collaboration between agencies involved in the operation, stating that it was a great example of how law enforcement works together to make the community safer. He expressed pride in the efforts of all the agencies involved in removing such a massive amount of drugs from the streets.

The seizure was also highlighted by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi during a recent news conference about nationwide drug busts as part of “Operation Take Back America.” This initiative, launched under the Trump administration, focuses on targeting illegal immigration, cartels, and transnational criminal organizations.

Bondi emphasized that fentanyl is increasingly entering the U.S., 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.”