Theodore Vitaliy Khleborod, U47700 Trafficking, South Carolina 2017

Courtside Report: U47700 Trafficking Charges

A Columbia, South Carolina couple is behind bars after federal agents arrested them on charges of possessing and distributing a deadly Schedule I controlled substance, U47700. Theodore Vitaliy Khleborod, 28, and Ana Milena Barrero, 24, were apprehended by a multi-agency task force.

The charges against the pair include possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of U47700, conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute U47700, and using the U.S. Mail to facilitate a drug trafficking crime. Authorities seized no further information on the alleged quantities of U47700.

The duo is scheduled to face a federal court in Greenville, South Carolina this morning at 11:30 am. A detention hearing and a preliminary hearing have been set for next Monday, May 1, 2017, at the federal courthouse in Greenville.

The investigation involved agents from ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville Police Department, and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andy Moorman and Leesa Washington will prosecute the case.

According to U.S. Attorney Beth Drake, “All charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

The case is a stark reminder of the opioid epidemic gripping the nation, with U47700 being a potent and highly addictive Schedule I controlled substance. The U.S. Attorney’s office has vowed to aggressively pursue those responsible for this type of crime.

In related news, residents are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are resources available to help.

Contact Person: Andy Moorman, (864) 282-2100.

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