Pot of Trouble: Major Drug Bust in Spartanburg County

Operation Rolling Thunder: A Major Breakthrough

In the chilling wind of mid-November, it was not just the declining temperatures raising eyebrows in Spartanburg. The town was buzzing with the news of a massive drug bust.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s office recently wrapped up their 2024 edition of Operation Rolling Thunder. The outcome? A seizure of over 300 pounds of marijuana, among other illegal items.

Initiated on November 18th, this year’s operation lasted four days, concluding on November 21st. The operation was delayed earlier in the year due to Hurricane Helene but proved successful in its execution. The team managed to confiscate a vast quantity of contraband, including drugs, guns, and cash, all reportedly linked to criminal activity.

A Look at the Loot

The loot seized during the operation was indeed immense. Law enforcement officers managed to bag more than 300 pounds of marijuana, 31 pounds of THC wax, $100,000 in cash, and numerous alleged stolen items of clothing. They also seized five guns.

According to Sheriff Chuck Wright, the operation saw the collaboration of about a dozen law enforcement agencies. Wright compared a traffic stop to a Christmas gift, suggesting that you never know if “you’re gonna get a good Christmas package or a bad one.”

The operation also recorded seizures of 116.5 grams of cocaine, 35 grams of mushrooms, a negligible amount of methamphetamines and prescription drugs, and bare 1 gram of ecstasy.

The Route and Technique

The strategy of the operation involved stopping vehicles along interstates that cut through the county. Officers established a probable cause for search to seize illicit items linked to criminal activities.

A total of 701 vehicles were halted, leading to 100 searches. In terms of demographics, those stopped were a mix of White, Black, Latino, and other races. However, the county’s top cop insisted that the operation is not discriminatory and that deputies don’t stop motorists based on race.

Wright made it clear, “You just cannot stop people for that, and we don’t allow it.” Despite his reassurances, the operation has been previously criticized for alleged racial discrimination and opaque record-keeping.

The Takeaway

Despite the controversy surrounding the operation, the end result saw the generation of 42 criminal cases, resulting in as many as 25 arrests. One specific search led to apprehension of five individuals who were riding with a small amount of marijuana and $130,000 in cash.

Sheriff Wright has proven resolute in his belief that such operations are necessary to keep the community safe. And while the odds may be daunting, he remains undeterred. “I’ve been told ever since I became sheriff, ‘You’ll never win the war on drugs,’” Wright said. “But if you keep that mentality, then you won’t go out and work hard and try to make life safe for our youth.”

And despite the mountains of controversy, surely the residents of Spartanburg sleep a little safer knowing these narcotics are off the streets.