DEA: Drug crisis escalates in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – Federal and state leaders are warning South Carolinians over a fentanyl crisis sweeping through the state and the nation.

At a press conference Thursday, top officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) discussed shocking data and urged the public to stay vigilant about drug trafficking.

With South Carolina’s rapid growth, Law Enforcement said the state has become a target for drug trafficking, driven by violent cartels, organized gangs, and prison-based networks.

“All it takes is one pill, all it takes is one death for it to forever affect your life and your family’s life,” said Bryan Stirling, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina.

DEA officials named the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the world’s most powerful drug organizations, as a major player in funneling fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and counterfeit pills into South Carolina, many times through Atlanta. Officials said traffickers are using pill presses to make deadly fentanyl appear like legitimate prescription medication.

“Although overdose rates are down across the country and specifically here in South Carolina, fentanyl seizures in South Carolina are still up 6.5 times. We want to remind the public to remain vigilant to the dangers and the prevalence of fentanyl,” said Michael Tooley the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC), DEA Columbia.

So far this year in South Carolina, agents have seized:

• Over 140 kilograms of fentanyl
• 232 kilograms of cocaine
• More than $4.4 million in cash and assets

Authorities also revealed another growing threat – fraudulent electronic prescriptions and pharmacy thefts. Over the past 18 months, officials have recorded:

• 25,000 fraudulent e-prescriptions across multiple states
• 54 pharmacy burglaries

“We may not be able to prevent individuals from breaking into a pharmacy or other location, but by properly securing your medications specifically highly desirable schedule two controlled substances you can certainly make it a lot more difficult for the thieves to gain access to those medications,” said Tooley.

Every major drug case in South Carolina has ties to prison-based operations, according to Stirling. Using contraband phones and underground communication systems, some inmates are directing trafficking operations from their cells, coordinating with dealers on the outside.

New drugs are always emerging, and some even more dangerous than fentanyl. Officials said they must continue adapting quickly, which means partnering with local agencies, sharing intel, and engaging directly with the public.

The DEA and U.S. Attorney’s Office say the most powerful tool in this crisis is prevention. They’re urging families to:

• Talk to children and teens about the dangers of fake pills
• Only accept prescriptions from licensed pharmacists or healthcare providers
• Safely dispose of unused medications during the next DEA National Take Back Day on October 25, 2025