State and federal law enforcement officials are warning South Carolinians about a surge in fentanyl trafficking that is targeting the state. During a recent press conference, officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) revealed new data and urged the public to remain vigilant.
Due to its rapid growth, South Carolina has become a target for drug trafficking, with operations run by violent cartels, organized gangs, and even prison-based networks. Officials identified the Sinaloa Cartel as a major player in funneling fentanyl, cocaine, and counterfeit pills into the state, often through Atlanta. Traffickers are using pill presses to disguise deadly fentanyl as legitimate prescription medication.
While overdose rates have decreased across the country and in South Carolina, fentanyl seizures in the state have increased by 6.5 times this year alone. To date, agents have seized more than 140 kilograms of fentanyl, 232 kilograms of cocaine, and over $4.4 million in cash and assets.
Authorities also highlighted another emerging threat: fraudulent electronic prescriptions and pharmacy burglaries. Over the past 18 months, there have been 25,000 fraudulent e-prescriptions across multiple states and 54 pharmacy burglaries. Law enforcement is urging pharmacies to properly secure highly desirable controlled substances to make it more difficult for thieves to access them.
Officials also noted that every major drug case in South Carolina has ties to prison-based operations. Inmates are using contraband phones to coordinate trafficking operations from their cells.
Law enforcement agencies are adapting to these new threats by partnering with local agencies, sharing intelligence, and engaging directly with the public. Officials believe the most powerful tool in this crisis is prevention. They are urging families to talk to children about the dangers of fake pills, to only accept prescriptions from licensed pharmacists, and to safely dispose of unused medications at events like the DEA National Take Back Day on October 25, 2025.
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