34-Count Federal Indictment Charges 12 Defendants in Alleged Drug Trafficking Conspiracy out of Anderson County
130 Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Officers Executed Largest Federal Warrant Operation in Anderson County History
Greenville, South Carolina — Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett Dehart announced today that, on Thursday, August 12, 2021, a joint team of 130 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers simultaneously executed 20 federal search warrants and arrested 12 individuals charged in a 34-count federal indictment for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that operated primarily out of Anderson County.
During the operation, presumed to be the largest operation of its kind ever in Anderson County, agents located approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of approximately $500,000; 5 ounces of heroin; 18 pounds of marijuana; 10 guns; hundreds of rounds of ammunition; $245,000 in cash; and 3 cars.
“Organized crime – particularly that involving drug and guns – presents our communities with serious challenges,” said Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart. “Fortunately, our office, along with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, does not rest in our efforts to dismantle such organizations and bring them to justice. While the charges in this case speak for themselves, our commitment to stopping violent drug gangs will never waver.”
“Citizens of Anderson County should feel safer knowing that these alleged poly-drug traffickers have been removed from their community,” said the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division Robert J. Murphy. “These defendants have been charged with distributing a variety of illegal drugs, and while doing so, protecting their ill-gotten gain with weapons. This investigation was a success because DEA and its law enforcement partners presented a united front to protect and serve the communities in which we live.”
“Public safety strategies and successes start with collaboration among our law enforcement agencies,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Vince Pallozzi. “Removing violent criminals from the community, disrupting major drug trades, and retrieving numerous firearms from very dangerous individuals are proven ways to have a major impact on bringing back safety and security to neighborhoods.”
“The commitment shown by our Detectives and Deputies assigned to our Special Investigations Division, working in concert with our Federal, State and local partners speaks volumes,” said Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride. “The entire Division poured effort into this investigation for an extended period of time. That effort, along with our strong commitment to the DEA Greenville Resident Office’s HIDTA Task Force, resulted in the successful seizure of a large quantity of illegal drugs and firearms that were bound for the streets of Anderson County. We take pride in the results of this investigation.”
“Our employees have worked countless hours on this case, including nights and weekends and spending time away from their families,” said City of Anderson Police Chief James Stewart. “This case has made a difference in our community, and getting these dangerous drugs off the street will make a major impact. We appreciate the partnership on the task force and cooperation that we have with the DEA office.”
The 34-count indictment charges the defendants with various drug trafficking and firearms-related offenses that include: drug trafficking conspiracy; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana; distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine; maintaining a stash house; felon in possession of firearm and ammunition; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The following defendants are in custody:
- Dillinger Maston Bolden, a/k/a “Nuke,” 40, of Anderson
- Roosevelt Lavar Cousar, 44, of Anderson
- Terrance Antonio Martin, a/k/a “Buck,” 34, of Anderson
- Kadarrius Ahmad Brownlee, a/k/a “Quan,” 23, of Anderson
- Daiquon Jermaine Smith, 26, of Spartanburg
- Desmond Laquan Muller, 32, of Columbia
- Terrance Jarel Goss, 32 of Anderson
- Darius Tyvone Sadler, 29, of Anderson
- Christopher Reese Bell, 36, of Anderson
- Renardo Lakeith Reed, 38, of Anderson
- Montez Obrien Hatten, 32, of Anderson
- Elysia Nicole Scott, 32, of Anderson
- Tyrone Terrell Dubose, 51, of Anderson (charged in a separate, but related criminal complaint).
Three other individuals were arrested on various state charges.
Agents with the Greenville Resident Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) led the investigation with the support and significant participation from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Anderson Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office.
This investigation is an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Assistant United States Attorneys Sloan P. Ellis and Brandi B. Hinton are prosecuting the case.
Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart stated that all charges against these defendants are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.