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DEA Offices & Telephone Nos. Beaufort—843-986-0457 Charleston—843-308-6660 Columbia—803-765-5251 Florence—803-661-2171 Greenville—864-234-0237

Drug Situation: South Carolina is identified more as a drug "consumer state" rather than a "source state." However, there has been increasing evidence of organizational activity extending to major distribution hubs, such as New York City (cocaine and heroin), southern Florida (cocaine and Ecstasy (MDMA)), southern Texas/Mexico (marijuana, methamphetamine and diverted/illicit drugs), and southern California (methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine). Investigations are becoming more complex and cross numerous statewide and nationwide jurisdictions. Additionally, Mexican-based traffickers have taken advantage of the increase in Latino immigration to the state by hiding within Hispanic enclaves. Statewide based on the last census Hispanics are the fastest growing racial group in South Carolina. Aside from Hispanics recent investigations have targeted Cuban, Haitian and Jamaican traffickers.

The history of investigations conducted by the Charleston RO reveals that a significant portion of the cocaine and marijuana distributed by coastal South Carolina distribution organizations originated from Charleston port smuggling activities. It is a well-known fact that traffickers utilize forty-foot and twenty-foot containers to transport contraband secreted inside these containers with legitimate commercial products. It is a conservative estimate that for every container loaded with illegal drugs discovered at the Charleston port, at least nine other containers with illegal drugs have slipped through without detection. The port of Charleston is the second largest containerized seaport on the eastern seaboard of the United States and handles over 1.5 million containers of the over 11 million containers that enter or pass through U.S. ports per year. Currently there are three terminals; however, a fourth may be opened in the near future. Despite this intimidating volume of containers, the USCS has only 10 inspectors to service the inspection requirements in three Charleston port facilities and they must rely on Confidential Source information and container profiling to maximize their chances of success. These 10 Customs Inspectors are only able to actually inspect less than 1 % of the containers destined to or passing through Charleston. Recent investigations have shown that there are numerous "cells" of traffickers working at the port with or as longshoremen to bring cocaine, marijuana and heroin into the United States from overseas (Panama, Colombia, etc.).

Cocaine: Cocaine trafficking has been detected at stable to moderately increased levels in the major metropolitan areas of the state, to include the population centers of Columbia, Greenville, and Florence. An increase in trafficking has also been noted in recent years along the coast, particularly in the tourist areas of Myrtle Beach and Charleston. Sources of supply are located in South Florida, New York, Georgia and California, with the most common method of importation being motor vehicle. Other less common methods of transport of drugs into the state include courier services, commercial airline, bus, and train travel. At the retail level, trafficking groups appear to be moderately sized and loosely organized. Cocaine is often transported into the state in powder form and converted into crack cocaine by local distributors at its destination. During 2003 and 2004 DEA offices statewide placed significant attention on the development of cases targeting high level trafficking groups. Title III investigations during 2003, resulted in the dismantling of a large cocaine trafficking organization operating in Columbia, SC. A total of 17 arrests were made in connection with the investigation.

Heroin: Heroin is available in multi-gram quantities throughout South Carolina and is routinely packaged in "bindles" for distribution. The most common source location for heroin distributed in South Carolina is the New York City area. Heroin supply sources use a variety of methods, including mail service and public transportation, to transport heroin into South Carolina. Although the heroin user population has historically been a limited and stable group generally located in the inner cities, recent information indicates an increasing pattern of heroin use by a younger population in "experimental" or "party" situations.

Methamphetamine: While methamphetamine is available across South Carolina, investigations indicate that there is a growing abuse and availability of the drug in the coastal population centers of the state, particularly in the Myrtle Beach area. Methamphetamine distributed in the state is normally obtained from supply sources in California, and in some cases, from Atlanta. The number of clandestine laboratory seizures in South Carolina continues to increase.

Club Drugs: Ecstasy (MDMA) is readily available in several cities in South Carolina, predominantly in the population centers of Greenville and Columbia and those cities along the state’s coastal area. During the past year there has been a significant increase in Ecstasy distribution throughout the state, with traffickers operating out of the state capitol in Columbia distributing a significant portion of the Ecstasy sold. Recent data indicates that Atlanta has become a significant hub for MDMA distribution in South Carolina. Law Enforcement agencies are attempting to infiltrate organizations distributing Ecstasy, but are hampered by the cost of Ecstasy currently available on the street. There have been increasing incidents of LSD distribution and abuse, as well as incidents of Rohypnol and Ketamine appearing in entertainment clubs in communities along the coast and upstate.

Marijuana: Marijuana is the most prevalent illegal drug of abuse in South Carolina, with Mexico the most common source location. Traffickers using vehicles, tractor-trailers, commercial air, buses, and trains, as well as commercial package shipping companies import marijuana from Mexico through California. Members of the South Carolina National Guard and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) routinely eradicate small patches of outdoor marijuana. In 2002, SLED discovered and destroyed 27,013 plants in South Carolina. In 2003 another 15,038 plants were destroyed.

Other Drugs: Ecstasy is readily available in several cities in South Carolina, predominantly those cities along the state's coastal area. Recent intelligence indicates that traffickers operating out of the state capital at Columbia distribute a significant portion of the Ecstasy sold throughout the state.

DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams: This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts was conceived in 1995 in response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation. There have been 409 deployments completed resulting in 16,763 arrests of violent drug criminals as of February 2004. There have been six MET deployments in the State of South Carolina since the inception of the program: Greenville, Dillon, North Charleston, Orangeburg, and Spartanburg (2).

DEA Regional Enforcement Teams: This program was designed to augment existing DEA division resources by targeting drug organizations operating in the United States where there is a lack of sufficient local drug law enforcement. This Program was conceived in 1999 in response to the threat posed by drug trafficking organizations that have established networks of cells to conduct drug trafficking operations in smaller, non-traditional trafficking locations in the United States. Nationwide, there have been 22 deployments completed resulting in 608 arrests of drug trafficking criminals as of February 2004. There have been no RET deployments in the State of South Carolina.

More information about the Atlanta Division Office.

Sources

Factsheet last updated: 2/2004

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