by JENN WOOD
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A year-and-a-half-long investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization based primarily in Chester and Lancaster counties resulted in 129 criminal counts being leveled against 25 defendants, South Carolina attorney general Alan Wilson announced on Wednesday afternoon (October 21, 2026).
Dubbed “Operation Duffle Bag Boyz,” the investigation targeted a network authorities accused of trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in the Midlands region of the Palmetto State. Several defendants were also indicted on dogfighting charges, while five were identified as inmates in the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC).
The announcement followed a Tuesday (October 20, 2026) roundup involving local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
According to Wilson’s office, investigators had already seized substantial quantities of narcotics, more than 30 firearms and 47 dogs prior to Tuesday’s operation. The roundup yielded additional firearms and more than four pounds of suspected fentanyl, which remained subject to laboratory analysis.
“It’s unfortunately all too common to see allegations of drug trafficking, felony possession of firearms, and dogfighting all together,” state grand jury division chief Creighton Waters said in the release.
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DRUGS AND FIREARMS
Prior to Tuesday’s roundup, investigators had seized 2.62 pounds of fentanyl, 6.88 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.21 pounds of cocaine, 4.5 ounces of crack cocaine and 2.5 pounds of marijuana, according to Wilson’s office.
Authorities also reported seizing more than 10,000 pressed fentanyl pills and more than 30 firearms. The release listed the pills separately – but did not specify whether they were included in the total fentanyl weight.
The indictments included drug possession, distribution and trafficking charges, along with multiple firearms offenses. Several defendants were accused of possessing firearms during the commission of a violent felony or possessing firearms following prior convictions.
Among those indicted was Korey Tavaris Bailey, who faced multiple cocaine and fentanyl trafficking counts, marijuana charges and two firearm counts. Nicholas Dooley was charged with trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine, as well as a firearm offense.
Lonnie Crawford, Christopher Chappell, Zion Hairston and Bobrentay Jackson also faced trafficking charges involving multiple drugs, according to the charge list released by Wilson’s office.
Lancaster County sheriff Barry Faile said Tuesday’s operation followed approximately 18 months of investigative work involving agencies across several jurisdictions.
“The arrests made yesterday are the culmination of an investigation that has been going on for a year and a half and has involved city, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies,” Faile said.
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DOGFIGHTING AND PRISON CONNECTIONS
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Beyond the drug and firearm charges, the investigation produced dogfighting allegations against five defendants — and identified five others as current South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) inmates.
Diara Talford faced seven dogfighting counts, while Devin Mobley faced nine. Zion Hairston and Nicos Little each faced 17 counts, while Bobrentay Jackson faced five. All but Little also faced drug charges, according to Wilson’s office.
Investigators seized 47 dogs, although the release did not detail their individual conditions or indicate how many had been placed with rescue organizations.
Authorities also identified Taures Price, Rogelio Mata, Coreytito Wright, Dallas Mathis and Cedric Wright as current SCDC inmates.
Price faced a firearm possession charge, while Mata and Mathis faced methamphetamine distribution charges. Coreytito Wright was charged with fentanyl trafficking, and Cedric Wright faced multiple drug charges and a firearm charge.
SCDC director Joel Anderson used the announcement to renew his push to allow prisons to jam illegal cellphone signals.
“These arrests highlight the urgent need for state prisons to be allowed to jam illegal cellphone signals and stop inmates from using contraband phones to commit crimes,” Anderson said.
The release did not explain how each inmate allegedly participated in the operation or detail the communications underlying those allegations.
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BOND HEARINGS SCHEDULED
Bond hearings for defendants who had not already made appearances were scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026, before judge Heath Taylor at the Richland County Courthouse.
The announcement did not specify how many of the 25 defendants had been taken into custody during Tuesday’s roundup.
Participating agencies included the attorney general’s statewide grand jury division, the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Chester and Lancaster county sheriff’s offices, Lancaster police, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI.
Assistant attorneys general John Conrad and Jennifer McKellar, along with Waters, will prosecute the cases.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
As a private investigator turned journalist, Jenn Wood brings a unique skill set to FITSNews as its research director. Known for her meticulous sourcing and victim-centered approach, she helps shape the newsroom’s most complex investigative stories while producing the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts. Jenn lives in South Carolina with her family, where her work continues to spotlight truth, accountability, and justice.
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