27 charged in SC-wide drug ring operating in Lexington, Richland counties

After an investigation into a South Carolina-wide drug trafficking organization based in the Midlands, the S.C. attorney general’s office formally charged 27 people, according to a statement from the office.

The indictments detail allegations of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana trafficking across Richland and Lexington counties.

The trafficking ring, which started in May 2015, is faced with 21 indictments of moving 28 grams or more of heroin, moving 400 grams or more of meth, trafficking heroin, trafficking meth and trafficking cocaine, according to the statements. Members also face firearms-related charges and allegations of unlawful conduct toward children.

The investigation focused mostly on the heroin and meth trafficking organization led by Midlands residents bringing in the drugs from out of state, according to the statement.

Participating investigating organizations include the S.C. Law Enforcement Division, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the Irmo Police Department, the Columbia Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service.

The individuals charged include the following:

• Lonnie Davaughn Fears
• Xavier James Thomas a/k/a “X”
• Nolan Louis Stukes a/k/a “King”
• Keith Hazel Jr. a/k/a “Beefy”
• Taylor Nichole Williams

• Thomas Min, a/k/a “Tommy”

• Gerald Anderson, a/k/a “K.G.”

• Christopher Rogers, a/k/a “Rich Chris”

• Christopher Scott

• Querida Dinkins, a/k/a “Trump”

• Brandon Fry

• Britney McPherson

• Jahquan Peterson

• Delaquan Tryee Williams

• Shawn Pope

• Santawn Moultrie

• George Wellington Hazel, a/k/a “Ucca”

• Jahmia Gardner

• Jasmine Richardson

• Jazmine Palladino

• Christopher Bethea

• Sofia El Kouri

• Robert Johnathan Benton

• Tatyana Maddox

• Shriviena Smiley

• Wendy Walker

• Quincy Satterwhite

This story was originally published August 7, 2018 at 3:41 PM.