A federal grand jury in Charleston has indicted 16 individuals on charges related to drug trafficking and firearm offenses. The indictments, part of the cases United States v. Gailliard et al. and United States v. Bailey et al., focus on the trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, along with the use of firearms in furtherance of these activities.
The investigation was led by the Lowcountry Violent Crime Task Force to combat significant drug trafficking and associated violence in local communities. The charged individuals operated mainly out of North Charleston and West Ashley areas, with some linked to the Gangster Disciple and Fruit Town Piru street gangs. Authorities have seized substantial quantities of drugs including approximately 60 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of methamphetamine, 24 pounds of marijuana, 600 grams of fentanyl, 500 grams of heroin, thousands of narcotics pills, and 12 firearms during the investigation.
U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina stated that "these indictments send a clear message that we will not tolerate the proliferation of dangerous drugs and the violence they breed in our communities." He emphasized the commitment shown by local, state, and federal partners in dismantling drug trafficking networks.
Reid Davis, acting special agent in charge at the FBI Columbia field office remarked that "these indictments and arrests should provide the community with a sense of reassurance" regarding efforts to ensure safety from drugs and violence.
The Gailliard et al indictment includes charges against several individuals from North Charleston and Summerville for conspiring to distribute large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine. Charges also include distribution counts involving these substances as well as possession with intent to distribute.
Similarly, under Bailey et al indictment charges have been filed against individuals from Charleston for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine along with multiple distribution counts for these drugs. Some defendants also face charges related to possessing firearms in connection with drug trafficking crimes.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation which aims to identify and dismantle high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among various law enforcement agencies.
The case involves investigations conducted by numerous agencies including FBI Columbia field office; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives; United States Secret Service; City Of Charleston Police Department; Charleston County Sheriff’s Office; Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office; State Law Enforcement Division; North Charleston Police Department; Summerville Police Department; Mount Pleasant Police Department; Charleston Aviation Authority; Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S Attorneys Chris Lietzow Nick Bianchi Katie Orville are prosecuting this case.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court proceedings.
