A major drug and firearms operation in South Carolina has led to the arrest of three individuals in Kershaw. Authorities say the case highlights the growing concern around dangerous drugs like fentanyl and illegal weapons being found together.
Case Overview
In Kershaw, deputies from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office arrested three people after carrying out a planned search operation.
The action was part of an investigation led by the Lancaster County Multijurisdictional Narcotics Task Force, which had been monitoring illegal drug activity in the area.
How the Investigation Began
Earlier in April, undercover agents reportedly purchased suspected fentanyl from a man identified as Jarvis Mandrell Anthony, aged 46. This controlled buy helped officers gather evidence and secure a search warrant for his residence on Fork Hill Road.
Such operations are commonly used by law enforcement to confirm illegal activity before taking further action.
Search Operation and Findings
On Thursday, officers, along with SWAT team members, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and Homeland Security Investigation agents, arrived at the house with a search warrant.
During the search, officials recovered:
- More than 10 grams of suspected fentanyl
- Suspected methamphetamine
- Marijuana and mushrooms
- Alprazolam pills
- Digital weighing scales
Along with drugs, officers also found multiple firearms, including:
- A sawed-off shotgun
- An AR-style rifle
- A stolen handgun
- Several other weapons (around a dozen in total)
Authorities described the presence of both drugs and weapons as extremely dangerous.
What Happened During the Raid
Officials said that when officers entered the home, Anthony delayed coming out of his room. Later, it was discovered that he had been throwing drugs out of the window in an attempt to hide evidence.
Despite this, officers were able to recover significant amounts of illegal substances and weapons from the property.
People Arrested
Three individuals were arrested during the operation:
- Jarvis Mandrell Anthony (46)
- Brittany Francis Gainey (34)
- Richard Kevin Outen (44)
All three were taken to a detention centre following their arrest.
Charges Filed
Brittany Francis Gainey
She faces multiple charges, including:
- Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
- Possession near Marion Boan Park
- Possession of fentanyl
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
Her bond was set at $10,000.
Richard Kevin Outen
He has been charged with:
- Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
- Possession near Marion Boan Park
- Possession of fentanyl
His bond was set at $9,000.
Jarvis Mandrell Anthony
Anthony faces the most serious charges, including:
- Distribution and trafficking of fentanyl
- Multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute various drugs
- Charges related to drugs found near Marion Boan Park
- Upcoming firearms-related charges
Officials confirmed that he has been denied bond.
Authorities’ Statement
Sheriff Barry Faile stated that the area had been under close watch and Anthony was a key target in the investigation. He also expressed concern about the number of weapons found alongside illegal drugs.
He added that removing these firearms from the streets could help prevent future crimes.
Why This Case Matters
This case shows how dangerous drug networks can be, especially when combined with illegal firearms. Fentanyl, in particular, is a highly potent drug and has been linked to many overdose deaths.
It also highlights the role of coordinated efforts between multiple agencies in tackling serious crime.
