SOUTH CAROLINA — Two men were arrested Friday during a multiagency narcotics operation in the city of Chester that resulted in the seizure of multiple illegal drugs, according to the Chester County Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement officers executed search warrants at residences near Sterling and Starnes streets following an investigation into illegal drug distribution. The operation involved the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Deputies arrested Anthony Waters and James Strong, who were identified as suspects in the ongoing investigation. During the searches, officers seized approximately 38 grams of a substance believed to be MDMA, 13.2 grams of a substance believed to be crack cocaine and about four and a half pounds of marijuana.
Waters faces multiple charges, including three counts of trafficking methamphetamine or cocaine, second offense; two counts of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, second offense; possession with intent to distribute Schedule I and II controlled substances; and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
He also faces several firearms-related charges, including possession of a weapon during a violent crime, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a stolen pistol, and the sale or delivery of a firearm to an unlawful person.
Strong was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
A third person, Ruby Strong, was arrested at the scene on an unrelated outstanding Family Court bench warrant. All three individuals were transported to the Chester County Detention Center.
The investigation into illegal drug distribution remains ongoing, authorities said.
