Timothy Markee Gayton, Fentanyl Trafficking, South Carolina 2023

⏱ 3 min read

A Rock Hill kingpin, Timothy Markee Gayton, 34, orchestrated a massive fentanyl trafficking operation, pumping out hundreds of kilograms of the deadly pills and cocaine in the York County area. Gayton’s industrial-scale clandestine labs pressed fentanyl into pills designed to look like prescription drugs, supplied to local dealers in South Carolina.

Law enforcement cracked down on Gayton’s operation, seizing fentanyl, amphetamine, marijuana, firearms, and cash from his residence in February 2018. But Gayton continued to deal, selling a kilogram of fentanyl to a law enforcement source just seven days later.

Between 2018 and 2022, Gayton imported pill presses and fentanyl powder from China and Mexico, setting up multiple clandestine labs in the area. Agents found $53,000 in cash, handguns, and 150,000 pills made to look like Roxicodone during a search of one of his labs.

Gayton’s identical twin brother, Timario Gayton, was convicted for his role in the operation and sentenced to 180 months. Timothy Gayton was federally indicted in January 2023 for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute. He was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.

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