48 arrested during Berkeley County crime suppression operation

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Deputies in Berkeley County arrested 48 individuals over three days as part of a crime suppression operation, the sheriff’s office announced Monday.

The saturation and crime suppression operation focused on increasing law enforcement presence in the Pringletown, Sandridge, Ridgeville, Jedburg, and Goose Creek areas of Berkeley County, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office explained. Law enforcement targeted areas with rising crime and drug-related activity.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives assisted deputies.

“The ultimate goal of the operation was to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.” Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis stated. “Our message is clear: we will not tolerate criminal behavior in this community and will continue to work relentlessly to restore peace and order.”

During the operation, authorities seized about 7,927.204 grams of marijuana, about 14.43 grams of cocaine, 1.4 grams of crack, 5.12 grams of methamphetamine, 43 dosage units of MDMA, 9.6 grams of fentanyl, and four firearms.

Law enforcement also issued 46 citations and 88 warnings during the operation.