Bloods Gang Busted: 13 Face Federal Drug & Gun Charges

COLUMBIA, SC – Thirteen individuals are facing federal charges after a sweeping, two-year undercover investigation targeting a major drug trafficking operation with ties to the Billie East Side Bloods gang. The arrests, announced today by U.S. Attorney Beth Drake, mark a significant blow to criminal activity plaguing the Myrtle Beach, Florence, and Charleston areas of South Carolina.

A 35-count federal indictment, unsealed yesterday, details allegations of a coordinated conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana. The indictment also alleges the defendants trafficked in and possessed firearms specifically to aid their drug operation. Thirteen defendants were arraigned on the indictment yesterday. The investigation, initiated in 2014, revealed a network of individuals operating under the banner of the Billie East Side Bloods, a set of the larger United Blood Nation, along with associated co-conspirators.

Federal agents employed a range of investigative techniques, including surveillance and confidential sources, to build a case demonstrating a clear agreement amongst the defendants to distribute narcotics and illegally possess firearms. The operation wasn’t a solo effort; it was a full-scale collaborative endeavor involving the FBI Myrtle Beach Resident Agency, the DEA Florence Resident Office, and a host of local law enforcement agencies.

The extensive list of partnering agencies included the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the Horry County Police Department, the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the North Myrtle Beach Police Department, the 15th Circuit’s Drug Enforcement Unit, the Coastal Carolina University Police Department, and the Georgetown Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Florence is prosecuting the charges. Contact person for further information is Andy Moorman (864) 282-2140.

“This joint operation involving our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners signals our commitment to and emphasis on targeting significant criminal organizations operating in the Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Florence areas of South Carolina,” stated U.S. Attorney Drake. She emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation in dismantling such criminal enterprises.

Drake cautioned that all charges outlined in the indictment remain accusations at this stage. “All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty,” she affirmed. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the federal court system, providing updates on any developments and potential sentences.

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