Kershaw Man Charged with Fentanyl Trafficking After Multi-Agency Raid

KERSHAW, S.C. — A 35-year-old Kershaw man is being held without bond following a significant narcotics operation on Wednesday that resulted in the seizure of drugs, cash, and a firearm.

Justin Smith was arrested on January 28, 2026, after a joint operation involving the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), the Multijurisdictional Narcotics Task Force, and state agents.

The Investigation and Raid

According to the LCSO, the arrest followed a series of “controlled buys” where investigators successfully purchased suspected Fentanyl from Smith at his residence on Oak Ridge Church Road.

On Wednesday afternoon, a large contingent of law enforcement descended on the property to execute a search warrant. The team included LCSO deputies, the SWAT Team, Kershaw County narcotics investigators, and special agents with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

Smith was discovered sitting in a vehicle in the yard and was detained without incident. While other adults were present on the property, no other arrests were made.

Drugs and Weapons Seized

The search warrant covered three contiguous parcels of land, including two mobile homes, outbuildings, and a wooded area. Investigators uncovered a significant cache of contraband during the search:

Fentanyl: 85.66 grams of suspected Fentanyl found hidden in the woodline.
Marijuana: 215.37 grams found across the property and on Smith’s person.
Pills: Quantities of Oxycodone Hydrochloride and Alprazolam.
Weapons: A .40 caliber pistol and a loaded magazine found in a shed.
Cash: Over $8,100 found in a mobile home, with additional cash found on Smith.
Paraphernalia: Digital scales were located in both the woodline and a mobile home.

“Shutting Down the Trade”

Sheriff Barry Faile highlighted the significance of removing this amount of Fentanyl from circulation.

“This was a significant arrest involving the seizure of over three ounces of Fentanyl,” said Sheriff Faile. “Fentanyl continues to harm and kill folks in Lancaster County, and we know it was sold from this location several times. Shutting down the trade at this spot is a very good thing.”

Sheriff Faile also credited the successful operation to the cooperation between the Narcotics Task Force, the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, SLED, and Lancaster County EMS, who accompanied the team as a safety precaution.