6-Month Investigation Leads to Arrest of 2 Notorious Crack Cocaine Dealers

Kershaw County drug investigators have arrested two men they call “well-known crack cocaine dealers” after a 6-month long investigation involving both state and federal drug investigators.

Katrell Cooke, 36, and Tarik Omar Shiggs, 32, were charged with multiple counts of trafficking and distribution of crack cocaine, including distribution of crack cocaine in proximity of a school. Both men are residents of Camden, SC.

Kershaw County Sheriff’s deputies, DEA agents, and Fairfield County deputies began investigating the pair’s crack cocaine dealings and compiling evidence against the two drug dealers at the beginning of 2014. In the past few months, undercover agents stated that they made several large buys from both men.

“Over time, several large crack cocaine buys were made from both Shiggs and Cooke,” according to the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said that both men have extensive criminal records already, including arrests for drug dealing, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, hindering a police officer, burglary, lynching, assault and battery, breach of peace, and threatening the life of a person or family member of an official.

“We believe that Katrell Cooke and Tarik Shiggs were the two largest suppliers of crack cocaine in Kershaw County,” said Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews in a statement. “They supplied the smaller dealers and have been doing so for a long time… Cooke and Shiggs can join the countless other drug dealers in prison who never thought they would get caught.”

“These arrests put a huge dent in the availability of crack cocaine in Kershaw County, at least for the short term,” Sheriff Matthews continued. “We will relentlessly pursue whoever ultimately replaces these two men. Our goal is to lock up these drug dealers, or make them take their business someplace else.”

The two men are being held at the Kershaw County Detention Center, pending their bond hearings.

Trafficking: Crack Cocaine, Marijuana, or Heroin in South Carolina

Drug trafficking charges are based upon the weight of the drug you are in possession of:

• Ten grams of cocaine
• Four grams of heroin
• Ten pounds of marijuana

In South Carolina, possession of drugs at this weight or greater is considered trafficking.

Penalties for drug trafficking can include a minimum sentencing of 25 years. Trafficking and distribution offenses are considered violent, no-parole offenses and a conviction can certainly have you serving the full time you are sentenced to.

To be charged with actual possession of pot, cocaine, heroin or another illegal drug, the drugs must physically be on you, i.e., in your pocket, jacket, purse, or hand; to be charged with constructive possession, the drugs can be found in your car or home.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help With Drug Charges, Including Crack Cocaine and Pot Possession or Distribution

If you or someone you know has been arrested and charged with crack cocaine, pot, heroin, or prescription drug possession or distribution, contact the drug crime lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today. Our attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients, providing aggressive representation grounded in our years of experience building and interpreting the laws of South Carolina. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800