Clarendon County Sheriff's Office: Drug trafficking ring busted

2-year investigation leads to arrest of 4, more expected

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MANNING - A two-year investigation into a local drug trafficking ring has resulted in four arrests on multiple narcotics charges, according to Clarendon County Sheriff's Office.

In October 2017, the then-Clarendon County Combined Narcotics Unit, a joint venture between the CCSO and Manning Police Department, began an investigation into a drug trafficking ring involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine that was operating in Clarendon County and surrounding areas. Numerous law enforcement agencies became involved in the investigation, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Sumter County Sheriff's Office; Sumter Police Department; S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Columbia.

The lengthy multi-agency investigation resulted in the arrest of four Clarendon County men on charges of distribution and conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Jerry R. Calvin, 41; George Edward Nelson, 63; and Demetrick Antwon Nelson, 39, were arrested at their homes on Aug. 13. Christopher Polite, 30, surrendered to agents in Columbia three days later.

When executing the search warrant at Calvin's home, agents seized approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine, approximately 200 grams of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, other controlled substances and $3,908 in cash.

So far in the investigation, agents have seized approximately 4 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 200 grams of cocaine and approximately 15 grams of crack cocaine.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests are expected.