Crime & Safety
Florence County, SC Crime Sweep: 17 Guns, 489g Meth Seized
Florence, SC – A month of enforcement operations across Florence County resulted in the reported seizure of 17 guns, nearly 500 grams of methamphetamine and multiple other drugs, while authorities als
By Jordan Mercer · 2026-10-01T18:47:35.890Z
Florence, SC – A month of enforcement operations across Florence County resulted in the reported seizure of 17 guns, nearly 500 grams of methamphetamine and multiple other drugs, while authorities also arrested 14 fugitives during September.
According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office , the county’s Violent Crime Task Force continued operations in areas identified by law enforcement as having higher levels of criminal activity. The unit includes deputies from the sheriff’s office Street Crimes Unit and officers from the Florence Police Department .
Authorities reported seizing 489 grams of methamphetamine , 204 grams of marijuana, 8 grams of crack cocaine, half a gram of cocaine and a quarter gram of fentanyl during September. Seven dosage units of controlled substances were also seized.
The task force reported 17 guns seized , 14 fugitives arrested and 43 criminal cases made during the month.
Cases handled by officers included allegations involving firearm possession by a violent felon, possession of a stolen handgun and stolen vehicle, drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute. Authorities also reported cases involving grand larceny, driving under suspension, failure to stop for blue lights and outstanding warrants.
Sheriff T.J. Joye said the task force focuses on high crime areas through high visibility traffic enforcement and other targeted operations.
“We are committed to getting drugs, guns and criminals off of our streets so our citizens can have a better quality of life,” Joye said in the Oct. 1 release.
The figures cover September 2026 and represent activity reported by the Florence County Violent Crime Task Force. The sheriff’s office did not identify individual defendants or provide a breakdown of how the 43 reported cases were distributed among the listed offenses.
Any criminal allegations connected to the cases remain allegations unless proven in court.