Many traffickers were apprehended through surveillance and monitoring communications, with some continuing their activities while incarcerated.

The investigation, named Operation Devil in Disguise, was initiated due to a significant rise in drug-related overdose deaths in Greenville County, which reported 278 deaths in 2022, primarily linked to fentanyl.

The Greenville County Drug Enforcement Unit has played a pivotal role in this investigation, collaborating with various law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

However, skepticism remains among some prosecutors, including 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone, regarding the effectiveness of the new law due to the challenges in proving knowledge of fentanyl distribution.

During a press conference, Wilson compared current drug trafficking conditions at the U.S.-Mexico border under the Biden administration to those under the Trump administration, citing an increase in drug flow.

Law enforcement efforts have intensified against trafficking networks linked to Mexican cartels, resulting in a decrease in the supply of fentanyl in the state.

Fentanyl, often mixed with cocaine and methamphetamine, accounted for over 70% of the 1,660 overdose deaths in South Carolina that year.

The ongoing investigation has involved collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies since August 2023, utilizing both traditional and advanced techniques.

This comprehensive effort has led to 108 individuals facing over 380 narcotics-related charges across five counties in South Carolina.

Charges against the defendants include serious offenses such as murder and conspiracy to commit murder, with at least six overdose deaths linked to the trafficking operation.

Attorney General Alan Wilson announced new indictments on May 19, 2025, highlighting the state's commitment to combating drug trafficking, including a new law allowing for charges of fentanyl-induced homicide.

This new legislation, awaiting the governor's signature, aims to deter drug trafficking and carries severe penalties for those who knowingly provide fatal doses of fentanyl.