Operation ICE Storm: 25 arrested, drugs and fake goods seized in S.C.

SOUTH CAROLINA (WJBF) – Eleven law enforcement agencies teamed up for “Operation ICE Storm”, including the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and the North Augusta Department of Public Safety. The project was led by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

In a Facebook post, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said, “The presence of law enforcement agencies saturating a section of the interstate (I-95) during the operation not only promoted safety and prevented accidents but also protected the public by arresting criminals.”

The participating agencies included:

• The City of North Augusta Police Department
• Aiken County Sheriff’s Office
• Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office
• The City of Darlington Police Department
• The Florence County Sheriff’s Office
• The City of Florence Police Department
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)/Air and Marine Operations (AMO), Jacksonville, FL
• South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
• The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office
• Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office

Also participating in the operation were air units from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and Customs and Border Protection.

While enforcing traffic laws, Operation ICE Storm completed 1,250 traffic stops for violations. Fifty of those stops required officers to deploy K-9s.

One missing person was located who had been reported missing by family members from Florence County. The individual was found to be safe, and their family was notified.

Officers seized illegal drugs, firearms, counterfeit goods, and illicitly gained currency during traffic stops.

Seizures:

• 1,112 grams of Methamphetamine
• 469.5 grams of Marijuana
• Eight grams of Crack Cocaine
• Six firearms
• $337,850 in counterfeit goods
• $10,680 in illicit gained currency

The operation also recovered one stolen vehicle, several stolen IDs, and credit cards with a card reader used in fraud.

25 arrests were made, including five fugitives with warrants and three aliens who will be placed into removal proceedings by ICE.

“We know these fine officers do excellent work every day in their respective jurisdictions, and to have them partner with us for this operation was an honor and a powerful testimony of their professionalism,” said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis.

All photos courtesy of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.