South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that the State Grand Jury has issued indictments as part of Operation “Ganjapreneur,” a drug trafficking investigation targeting illegal THC products sold in stores across the state. The investigation has resulted in 40 narcotics charges against 12 individuals from Richland and Lexington counties.
The operation focused on distributors and wholesalers of certain THC products that, according to law enforcement, test illegal under South Carolina law, are highly intoxicating, and often packaged to appeal to children and teens. Law enforcement officials executed search and seizure warrants at multiple sites on December 9, 2025. The searches covered six warehouses, six residences, one retail business, and two storage units. Authorities seized about eight large box trucks’ worth of alleged illegal products—over 30,000 pounds in total—including marijuana, pre-rolled cigarettes, vapes, oils, dabs, syrups, and edibles. Assets totaling approximately $2 million were also confiscated.
Attorney General Wilson stated: “A stand needed to be made against stores openly selling illegal THC products, many of which are dangerously potent and clearly marketed to attract children and teens.”
State Grand Jury Chief Attorney Creighton Waters commented: “This is yet another example of the State Grand Jury bringing together partnerships across jurisdictions to do tough jobs that needed to be done.” Both Wilson and Waters expressed gratitude to partner agencies for their efforts.
The case was investigated by the State Grand Jury with support from the Attorney General’s State Grand Jury Division, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Over 30 county and local agencies conducted simultaneous operations throughout South Carolina.
“These suppliers sought to peddle these products to anyone who would buy them. In turn, they were directly profiting off the backs of our children. It is unconscionable,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “Today, I want to make it clear: law enforcement in South Carolina stands united in our effort to rid our state of these dangerous, illicit products.”
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division said: “Synthetic chemicals are among the most dangerous substances circulating in the illicit market today. They are potent, unpredictable, and often engineered to evade traditional detection. Thanks to the combined efforts of our partnering agencies, we were able to intercept these chemicals before they could cause further harm. This investigation demonstrates our shared commitment to safeguarding the communities we serve and holding those who traffic in these substances accountable.”
Participating agencies included Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, City of Columbia Police Department, Airport Police Department, University of South Carolina Police Department; South Carolina Governor’s Counterdrug Task Force; South Carolina National Guard Counterdrug Task Force; with special assistance from East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore.
Assistant Attorneys General Jennifer McKellar and John Conrad will prosecute these cases alongside State Grand Jury Division Chief Attorney S. Creighton Waters.
Bond hearings took place on December 11 before Judge Heath P. Taylor at Richland County Courthouse for all defendants listed in court documents related to this operation.
Attorney General Wilson emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Photos of seized products and mugshots are available here.
