MURRELLS INLET, SC (WBTW) – The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Drug Enforcement Unit agents, made 11 arrests and took a large amount of drugs off the street in a recent search warrant raid.
On September 15, agents with the 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit and the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office wrapped up a five month investigation into street level sales of heroin, crack and marijuana, in an area of the Murrells Inlet community of Georgetown County. The area is locally known as “Hot Road” and officers arrested 10 suspects for a variety of drug charges.
Officials say residents of the community had complained about drug sales in the area and the quality of life deteriorating because of the criminal activity. The agents obtained arrest warrants for nine suspects for drug distribution related charges. Officers also obtained a search warrant for 4565 Old Kings Highway in Murrells Inlet.
When officers went to execute the search warrant on Old Kings Highway, they recovered trafficking level quantities of crack and distribution levels of marijuana along with packaging materials and scales. Agents also seized heroin, marijuana, packaging materials and scales in Pawleys Island where they located one of the nine wanted suspects. Agents also seized $1,400 in cash and impounded two vehicles.
Arrested were:
1. William A. Myers, 45, Charged with 2 counts of Crack distribution
2. Jamie K. Simmons, 27, Charged with 2 counts of Crack distribution and Possession of Marijuana
3. Datrone G. Smalls, 29, Charged with 14 counts of Crack, Heroin and Marijuana distribution
4. James B. Frazier, 40, Charged with 4 counts Crack Distribution
5. John W. Gary, 59, Charged with 1 count of Conspiracy to Distribute Crack
6. Dennis M. Smalls, 29, Charged with 2 counts of Crack Distribution
7. Antonio Smalls, 39, Charged with 2 counts of Crack distribution
8. Donovan Syndab, 19, Charged with 2 counts of Marijuana distribution
9. Jalen M. Simmons, 20, Charged with 2 counts of Heroin distribution and Possession of Marijuana
10. Kim C. Smalls, 40, Charged with 2 counts of Crack and Marijuana Distribution
11. Montea D. Myers, 31, Charged with 2 counts of Crack distribution and 2 counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance within one- half mile of a School/Park.
Agents credit the cooperation between law enforcement agencies, which is the core basis for the DEU, as one of the primary reasons an operation of this type was able to be conducted. The patience and assistance, of concerned citizens in the area, was also noted. This is especially important since the operation took several months to complete during which time the criminal activities, which were generating the quality of life complaints, continued.
The 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit, Georgetown Office, is funded by a SC Department of Public Safety grant. The DEU is comprised of numerous agencies with the 15th Judicial Circuit. Contributing agencies include:
Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, Georgetown Police Department
Horry County Police Department, Horry County Sheriff’s Office
Myrtle Beach Police Department, North Myrtle Beach DPS
Conway Police Department, Surfside Beach Police Department
Andrews Police Department, Coastal Carolina University DPS
15th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Aynor Police Department
