Rory Severin, Methamphetamine Trafficking, South Carolina 2014

Columbia, South Carolina – In a bold move to combat the scourge of methamphetamine, federal authorities have arrested five defendants in South Carolina for their alleged involvement in a large-scale narcotics operation.

According to court documents, Rory Severin, 45, William Scott Powell, 40, Chad Edward Moore, 42, Marie Higgins, 36, and Angel Miranda Luna, 24, were arraigned in federal court on charges of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute in excess of 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.

The investigation, which culminated on April 22, 2014, and May 5, 2014, involved law enforcement agencies from across the state and resulted in the seizure of over 26 pounds of methamphetamine, five firearms, and $90,000 in cash.

Moore has also been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, while Powell, Higgins, and Luna were charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment.

The investigation was led by the Department of Homeland Security/Homeland Security Investigations, the Douglasville, Georgia, Police Department, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.

Prosecution of the case will be handled by Andy Moorman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000 for more information on this case.

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