Federal Drug Raid, $4 Million of Marijuana in Charleston Seized, Second Largest in City’s History

On Tuesday, October 19th, officials with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, along with federal investigators, announced that they have seized almost 2 tons of marijuana in Charleston, SC which was pressed into furniture to prevent it from being detected. The marijuana drug bust occurred on November 6th.

Investigators seized 3,734 pounds of marijuana, total, which was valued at around $4 million. Reportedly, two foreign nationals are responsible for the shipment, which came from Texas, but their identities are not being released yet due to the on-going investigation. However, Sheriff Al Cannon said that the individuals worked with a Mexican drug cartel.

“This serves as a rude wake up call for this community on the level drug trafficking has come to,” Cannon said at the press conference.

Homeland security investigators in Laredo, Texas – a border crossing point – began the probe after customs agents found marijuana stuffed into furniture that had been specially made to hide the drug. Officials determined the marijuana was destined for Charleston, SC as well as some locations in North Carolina. Officials allowed the shipment to cross state lines and arrive at a warehouse in North Charleston, where it was seized.

Many South Carolina news agencies reported that this was the largest marijuana bust in Charleston’s history, but the Post and Courier reports that there was one larger, in 1978. According to their archives, Charleston County police seized 15 tons of marijuana, valued at $18 million in 1970’s dollars.

Marijuana Charges at State and Federal Levels

South Carolina has some of the harshest penalties for drug crimes in the US, whether you are charged with simple possession or a federal-level trafficking and distribution charge.

State-level prosecution Marijuana Distribution includes the following penalties:

• If you are found guilty of distribution more than one ounce and less than ten pounds of marijuana, you may be subject to a $5,000 fine and imprisonment of up to five years.
• If you are found guilty of distributing no less than pounds and no more than 2,000 pounds, it is considered a marijuana trafficking offense and punishable with a one year mandatory sentence and fine of up to $10,000.
• If you are found guilty of distributing/trafficking 2,000 to 10,000 lbs of marijuana you may be subject to a 25 year minimum prison sentence and a fine of up to $50,000.
• If you are found guilty of distributing/trafficking over 10,000 lbs of marijuana you may be subject to a 30 year prison sentence and fines up to $200,000.

In many Federal drug charges cases, there are several Federal investigators, co-conspirators, undercover informants, wiretap or electronic evidence, as well testimony from co-conspirators who may have cut a deal in exchange for information that led to other arrests, including possibly your own.

Federal drug investigations and indictments are often combined with other charges including:

• 1001 False Statement Violations,
• money laundering,
• conspiracy, and
• asset forfeiture.

If You Face Marijuana Charges, the Strom Law Firm Can Help

If you or a loved one have been found with marijuana, you could face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much marijuana was on your person, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let drug charges for marijuana hurt your reputation or your future aspirations. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800