Multi-agency search warrants over the weekend strike fear in Jasper Co. community

RIDGELAND, S.C. (WTOC) — Multiple law enforcement agencies — including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security — were in Jasper County over the weekend executing search warrants at several locations, according to officials.

In the video shared with our newsroom, a large law enforcement presence can be seen at different sites as warrants were carried out.

Other footage shows people being placed in handcuffs and prepared for transport in a van.

One of the locations was La Poblanita in Ridgeland, where people in the area said at least five people were taken into custody by federal immigration officials.

At this time, law enforcement has not released details on how many people were arrested, what led to the arrests, or where those taken into custody were transported. Officials did tell us that there was no cause for concern to the community during the searches.

Community reaction

Estephany Colon said she decided to drive by after hearing about the increased law enforcement presence.

“I saw people that I knew who were arrested,” Colon said. “They had handcuffs sitting down right here, and it honestly broke my heart because I was like, there’s no way that there are people that are here arrested by ICE.”

Colon said she has seen ICE arrests on social media before, but never expected it to happen in Ridgeland. She said the arrests have left some in the community feeling fearful.

“I am scared,” Colon said. “This is not what our people deserve. Our people work hard for where they are right now, and we just have to keep standing up for the people that are working hard, that are not from here, because if we don’t stand up, who is going to stand up for us?”

Colon added that events from the weekend could also impact small businesses.

She says that they should close down until things calm down.

What’s next

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said additional information is expected to be released later this week, including the number of people arrested and more details about the warrants issued across Jasper County.

We’ll update this story on air and online when that information becomes available.