A nine-month investigation has led to seven suspects arrested for dealing drugs. Kingstree Police conducted the ‘sting’ where the majority of the arrests were made at several apartment complexes.
Linda Sue Fulton, Edward Martenis McFadden, Antwan Delon McFadden, Kenneth Dwayne Nesmith, Bobby Lamont Burgess, Anthony Bernard Graham and Shannon Gamble, all from Kingstree, were arrested. Bond ranged from $20,000 to $200,000. Two warrants are still pending.
The effort was instigated after several serious calls came from the communities involved. The calls ranged from fights to shots fired and could be related to dealers defending their territory. Drug traffickers were targeted within Interfaith, King’s Crossing and Queen Anne’s Apartments “That’s why we started this, because of the complaints coming from these complexes,” said Kingstree Police Chief Ford adding that the suspects aren’t always residents of those communities. “They (dealers) hang out in these areas and they don’t live there. That will present a conflict with those who are already established.” Arrests have also been made on the bike path that runs through the middle of the city.
The police are facing a growing dilemma as they work to combat the drug problem. “It’s nothing new. It’s just that now it seems to be more accepted and condoned,” said Ford who was referring to a change in attitude over the use of certain drugs. “We have people, when arrested, say “I don’t deal drugs. I deal a little weed but not drugs” and they are talking about crack and powder,” said Ford. “Even though they may think it’s not a big deal it’s still a narcotic and it’s still against the law to possess, use, and distribute.”