31 indicted in SC cartel trafficking operation

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A multi-year drug trafficking investigation in South Carolina has resulted in dozens of arrests and multiple state grand jury indictments targeting alleged cartel- and gang-linked organizations operating in the Charleston area.

Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the results Monday as part of Operation Last Stand, a multi-agency effort authorities say dismantled a major narcotics trafficking pipeline that moved cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine from Mexico into South Carolina.

Officials said the investigation uncovered alleged connections not only to drug trafficking, but also to firearms trafficking, prostitution, sex trafficking and gang violence.

According to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel, the case is the result of a lengthy and complex investigation.

“Today is a direct result of a multi-year, multi-month and complex investigation,” Keel said.

The investigation grew out of probes into illegal nightclubs in the Lowcountry that authorities say were linked to narcotics sales, prostitution, gang activity and violence.

In February 2026, law enforcement agencies raided an unsanctioned nightclub in North Charleston. Authorities said the operation led to 86 arrests, including 79 immigration-related arrests, the rescue of trafficking victims and the seizure of drugs and firearms.

Officials said evidence gathered during that raid helped launch Operation Last Stand and ultimately led investigators to a larger criminal network.

“We ultimately discovered, this is what brings us here today, that international narcoterrorism cartels and gangs were involved in large-scale trafficking of narcotics predominantly in the Charleston area,” Wilson said.

As the investigation expanded, agents traced trafficking routes allegedly responsible for moving large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl from Mexico into South Carolina.

Authorities said the operation has produced 59 criminal charges, and a state grand jury has indicted 31 defendants.

Wilson said investigators believe the trafficking network was responsible for bringing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into South Carolina through routes connected to the southern border.

“This trafficking pipeline was historically responsible for hundreds of kilos of cocaine coming into our state through the southern border from Mexico,” Wilson said.

Law enforcement agencies conducted raids and enforcement actions in South Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Florida. Officials said the investigation involved cooperation among local, state and federal agencies across multiple states.

Just last week, officers confiscated 33 firearms, including several machine guns, and recovered multiple kilograms of illegal drugs.

Keel said the investigation highlights the interconnected nature of several criminal enterprises.

“This multifaceted investigation encompasses multiple criminal enterprises, including sex trafficking, firearms trafficking, drug trafficking and gang violence,” he said.

Wilson said authorities are continuing to pursue leads and warned that additional arrests could follow as the investigation remains active.

“We’re sharing information, we’re communicating, we’re collaborating, we’re coordinating, and we’re coming after you,” Wilson said. “If you are engaged in this type of illicit activity, you will be found and you will be caught and you will be prosecuted.”

As of Monday, officials said the investigation returned five indictments totaling nearly 60 charges across 31 defendants:

• Christopher Patrick Best (a/k/a “Best”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy); Pointing Firearm at Another Person; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of Marijuana
• Richard Quay Pham (a/k/a “Chow”): Trafficking Fentanyl, 4–14 Grams; Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy); Trafficking Cocaine, 10–28 Grams, Second Offense; Distribution of Methamphetamine, Second Offense x2; Trafficking Cocaine, 28–100 Grams, Second Offense x2; Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl
• Demaro Devon Rollison: Trafficking Cocaine Base (Crack), 10–28 Grams; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana; Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime
• Abraham Deontre Doctor, IV (a/k/a “DJ Tre”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy); Trafficking Cocaine, 28–100 Grams
• Timothy Christian Brown: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Evan Anthony Cole: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy); Trafficking Cocaine, 28–100 Grams; Possession of Contraband in County Jail
• Jed Hakeem Coleman: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More; Possession of Methamphetamine, Third Offense; Failure to Stop for Blue Lights; Resisting Arrest; Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Rickey Omar Swinton (a/k/a “6”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy); Trafficking Cocaine, 200–400 Grams; Trafficking Cocaine Base (Crack), 10–28 Grams; Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance (MDMA); Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Violent Crime x6
• Pedro Moreno: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Juan Balderas-Cerritos: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Antonio Jermaine Levy (a/k/a “El Tony,” “Tony”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Eric Deangelo McKenzie (a/k/a “Dub”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• David Slavi Ivanov: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Branden Ronnard Antwan Ferrell (a/k/a “Lil B,” “Little B”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Zakaria Ahmad Quzah (a/k/a “Zack”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Juan Diego Bohorquez Quast (a/k/a “JB”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Juan Carlos Velazquez Morales (a/k/a “JC,” “CJ”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Angel Felix Castillo Menendez (a/k/a “Feliz,” “Felix”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Lorenzo Lavar Johnson: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Manuel Arthuro Gutierrez (a/k/a “Manny”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy); Possession of a Stolen Handgun
• Ramon William Green (a/k/a “G”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Ramon Gamble (a/k/a “Mone”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Oscar Orlando Sierra, Jr. (a/k/a “OJ”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Jose Francisco Carreno Rodriguez: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Jose Alberto Rodriguez Campos (a/k/a “Beto”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Ahmed Adel Maher Elsayed Elallawy (a/k/a “Bebito,” “Papito”): Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Nykeil Tytravias Miller: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Arelis Del Carmen Santos Gomez: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy); Drug/Violation Drug Distribution Laws, Prohibited Acts B x2; Prostitution/Operating a Brothel x2; Prostitution/Further Unlawful Acts x2
• Mark Christopher Casey: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy); Possession of Cocaine, Second Offense
• Rami Abuhani: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• Reynaldo Lopez: Trafficking Cocaine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)

Officials said Operation Last Stand remains an ongoing investigation.

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