Martrell Johnson-Cooke, Attempted Fentanyl Trafficking, South Carolina 2021

CAMDEN, SC – In a disturbing display of organized crime, two Camden men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a massive fentanyl trafficking operation.

According to reports, Martrell Johnson-Cooke, 28, and Krishawn Shykeice Allen, 23, both residents of Camden, were arrested in May 2021 after attempting to purchase large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine from an undercover agent.

The sting operation, which was spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, revealed that Johnson-Cooke had inquired about purchasing a kilogram of fentanyl for $30,000. The two men were subsequently arrested after they arrived at the agreed-upon location with $35,000 in cash and two armed associates.

Allen, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms, attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement. A loaded gun was found in his back pocket, further exacerbating the severity of the charges.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger-Lewis handed down the sentences, with Johnson-Cooke receiving 120 months in federal prison followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. Allen was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities across the country. The PSN initiative focuses on fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore is prosecuting the case, which highlights the ongoing struggle against organized crime in South Carolina. As the state continues to grapple with the devastating effects of fentanyl trafficking, the sentencing of Johnson-Cooke and Allen serves as a stark reminder of the severity of the consequences for those involved in these crimes.

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