A man from Florence County has been sentenced to decades in federal prison after authorities said he continued running a drug operation even while already behind bars.
Drug Operation Run from Prison
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Samual Ramu, 34, was convicted of organising a drug trafficking network from inside the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
At the time, Ramu was already serving a 15-year sentence for drug-related crimes, including heroin and methamphetamine trafficking.
How the Scheme Worked
Court evidence showed that Ramu used a contraband mobile phone to stay in contact with people outside prison. He directed others to carry out drug deals on his behalf, effectively running the operation remotely.
Investigators also revealed that he attempted to use drones to deliver illegal items into the prison, showing how far the operation extended despite his incarceration.
Scale of the Crime
Authorities said Ramu was responsible for distributing large quantities of drugs, including around 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, along with fentanyl and marijuana. Officials described him as the leader of the operation even while in custody.
Sentencing Details
For continuing criminal activity while in prison, Ramu has now been sentenced to 262 months, which is nearly 22 years in federal prison. After completing his sentence, he will also serve five years under supervised release.
Officials confirmed that he will not be eligible for parole, as the federal prison system does not allow it.
