MARLBORO COUNTY – The Marlboro County Multi-Jurisdictional Narcotics Task Force, which includes the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office and the Bennettsville Police Department, arrested at numerous individuals for alleged drug charges as a result of an ongoing investigation called, “Operation Grinch” according to reports.

According to Lt. Jamie Seales of the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began over nine months ago. As a result, undercover purchases of marijuana and crack cocaine, search warrants were executed over two days, Dec. 8 and 9.

“The areas of the county that was targeted include the (Shady Rest) area of Bennettsville, which consist of First, Second, Third and Fourth Avenues. The “Firestone” area, also in Bennettsville off of the 15-401 Bypass, was another area that was part of the investigation. This area includes State, McArthur and Union Streets as well as other streets within that particular area. These areas, along with the numerous complaints to both departments, have been of great concern to the task force for a long time,” said Seales. He added that the task force executed search warrants at Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue, McArthur Street, Union Street, Spencer Street and North Everett Street in Bennettsville. The report also states that the residence on Second Avenue was searched a few months ago by the task force.

“At that time, the residents were operating an illegal store out of the home. Items such as food, drinks, candy and alcohol were seized and on this search warrant, the same items were seized on this operation. The residents were still operating this store and selling drugs out of the residence. All were arrested on this operation, again,” Seales stressed.

The following individuals were arrested On Dec. 8 and 9, according to Lt. Jamie Seales, of the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office. Demario Covington, AKA, Booger, 31, was arrested for possession with intent to distribute (PWID) crack and possession to distribute within the proximity of a school, PWID marijuana and PWID within the proximity of a playground, Katari Miller Leake, 32, PWID crack and PWID within proximity of a playground, PWID marijuana, PWID marijuana within the proximity of a playground and failure to stop on command, Anthony Mark Campbell, 32, distribution of marijuana and PWID marijuana, Tommy Eugene Foster, 54, possession of a controlled substance and obstruction of passage, Valente Javon Williams, 23, two counts of distribution of crack, distribution of crack within the proximity of a school, three counts of distribution of marijuana and three counts of distributing marijuana within the proximity of a school, Lori Ann Davis, 38, PWID marijuana and PWID marijuana within the proximity of a school, James McCollum, Jr., 41, possession of crack, Cornelius Brown, two counts of distribution of crack, possession of crack and two counts of distribution of crack within the proximity of a school (stems from 2006), Jerrica Chante Gillespie, 23, PWID marijuana PWID marijuana within the proximity of a playground, Patrick Antonio Covington, 30, three counts of distribution of crack and three counts of distribution of crack within the proximity of a school, Allen Michael Adams, 22, two counts of distribution of marijuana, two counts of distribution within the proximity of a school, PWID marijuana and PWID within the proximity of a school, Dorothy Thomas, 30, two counts of distribution of crack, two counts of distribution of crack within the proximity of a school, PWID crack and PWID crack within the proximity of a school, Michael Anthony Pouncy, 35, distribution of crack and distribution of crack within the proximity of a school, Sheddrick Shandal McLean, AKA, Boss, 28, two counts of distribution of crack, distribution of marijuana and PWID marijuana, David Liles, 24, PWID marijuana, PWID marijuana within the proximity of a playground and failure to stop on command.

According to Seales, Liles was arrested with over 80 grams of crack on the last search warrant and was out on bond. He was also arrested on the above charges during this operation.

“At this same residence, Leake ran from the house and was also arrested for the above charges and was also found to be wanted by the S.C. Probation, Parole and Pardons,” said Seales. “The search warrant on McArthur Street resulted in nearly one pound of marijuana being seized at the residence of McLean, AKA, Boss and the search warrant on Union Street resulted in over 50 bags of marijuana seized and a handgun at the Campbell residence,” added Seales.

According to the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, several thousand dollars of drug money was also seized during the operation and within a two-day period.

“Several of the defendants have prior records and that includes prior drug convictions, which will ensure longer sentences if convicted. In addition, the “Up East” area of Bennettsville was also targeted including North Everett Street and Cook Street as well as other parts of that area,” Seales, added. “More defendants should expect to be arrested soon for warrants stemming from this operation.”

Seales continued, “We are determined to arrest, investigate and suppress drug activity in this city and county as the drug dealers are to sell it.”

Marlboro County Sheriff Fred Knight said, “We hope the message is clear that county and city lines don’t exist in Marlboro County when it comes to selling illegal narcotics. I would like to thank the citizens of the county for their calls and encourage citizens to call and give information about illegal drug sales. If anyone has information about drugs, his or her name can remain anonymous,”

The Bennettsville Police Department Special Operations Team and the Sheriff’s Office Bloodhound Tracking Team participated in the search warrants. The Cheraw Police Department Investigations Unit and K-9 Unit (Nike) also assisted in the case.

According to the report, Nike actually tracked two of the suspects who ran upon the execution of one of the search warrants and apprehended him. The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office K-9 and the Bennettsville Police Department K-9 Units also assisted in the operation.

“The Bennettsville Police Department hopes the message is clear. Drug sales in the city will be investigated and arrests will be made. “Operation Grinch” was executed to hopefully give the law-abiding citizens a peaceful Christmas and spoil it for our drug dealers. We also encourage any calls and information from the public about drug sales,” concluded Sgt. Larry Turner..