Two men were arrested in Chester, South Carolina, during a Friday narcotics raid that netted multiple illegal drugs and several weapons‑related charges. The operation was led by the Chester County Sheriff’s Office with help from the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
What was seized
Officers executed search warrants near Sterling and Starnes streets and seized:
- About 38 grams of a substance believed to be MDMA (often sold as “ecstasy”).
- Roughly 13.2 grams of a substance believed to be crack cocaine.
- Approximately 4.5 pounds of marijuana.
Charges against Anthony Waters
Anthony Waters faces several serious drug and gun charges, including:
- Three counts of trafficking methamphetamine or cocaine, second offense.
- Two counts of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, second offense.
- Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I and II controlled substances, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
He is also charged with multiple firearms offenses: possession of a weapon during a violent crime, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a stolen pistol, and sale or delivery of a firearm to an unlawful person.
Charges against James Strong
James Strong was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana during the same operation.
Third arrest and status of the case
A third person, Ruby Strong, was taken into custody on an unrelated outstanding Family Court bench warrant and was not charged in the drug‑trafficking case. All three were transported to the Chester County Detention Center, and authorities have stated that the broader investigation into illegal drug distribution in the county remains ongoing.
