Three Galivants Ferry residents face prison time after being caught with a stash of cocaine and multiple firearms.
On March 8, 2017, agents executed a federal search warrant at a residence in Galivants Ferry, South Carolina, and seized cocaine, multiple firearms, and $177,989 in cash. The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that Ephifanio Castillo-Pacheco, 44, Isidro Camacho-Castillo, 20, and Samuel Zepeda-Gonzalez, 60, were all involved in the crime.
Agents found Castillo-Pacheco’s bedroom containing 14 grams of cocaine, 9mm and .380 caliber ammunition, while Camacho-Castillo was in a bedroom with a loaded Glock .380 caliber pistol, a loaded Kassnar Imports 9mm pistol, and 45 grams of cocaine.
Castillo-Pacheco and Zepeda-Gonzalez were found in the living room, counting the $177,989 in cash. Investigators discovered that Zepeda-Gonzalez had been paid to transport the cash to an individual in McAllen, Texas.
United States Attorney Beth Drake announced that the three men were sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina. United States District Judge Bryan Harwell sentenced Castillo-Pacheco to 74 months imprisonment, Camacho-Castillo to 108 months imprisonment, and Zepeda-Gonzalez to 51 months. Judge Harwell also ordered the forfeiture to the government of $177,989 seized from the defendants.
The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the Horry County Police Department, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and SLED. Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office handled the case.
The defendants’ sentences serve as a warning to those involved in organized crime: Galivants Ferry will not be a hub for illicit activities. The residents of this small town deserve to live without the threat of crime.
Galivants Ferry residents can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that these men will be serving time behind bars. However, the question remains: how widespread is the issue of organized crime in the area?
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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