A late-night incident in North Charleston led to a serious arrest after what first seemed like a fake currency case quickly turned into something much bigger. Police say the situation escalated when officers discovered drugs and a weapon during the investigation.
Man Arrested at Gas Station
A 55-year-old man, Corey Lee Smith, was taken into custody early Wednesday morning in North Charleston. The arrest happened at a Sunoco gas station on University Boulevard around 2:45 a.m.
According to the North Charleston Police Department, officers responded after receiving a report about someone using a counterfeit $50 bill. When police reached the location, they detained Smith and began further checks.
Drugs and Weapon Found During Search
During the search, officers reportedly found several illegal items in Smith’s possession. These included:
- Multiple small bags containing more than 28 grams of cocaine
- A second counterfeit $50 bill
- A handgun
- A bank bag with a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine
What started as a counterfeit money case quickly turned into a much more serious situation involving drug trafficking and firearm violations.
Previous Convictions Made Gun Possession Illegal
Police also confirmed that Smith has prior felony convictions. Because of this, he is not legally allowed to carry or possess a firearm.
This added to the severity of the charges against him, as laws in the United States strictly prohibit convicted felons from having guns.
Charges Filed Against the Accused
Based on the evidence, Smith now faces multiple charges, including:
- Drug trafficking
- Possession of cocaine
- Firearm-related offences
After his arrest, he was taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center, where he was booked.
