Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie on Monday announced 80 arrests in a multi-agency sting operation over the weekend at a Ladson nightclub.
Among the 80 arrests were two “high level” cartel members, Ritchie said, and one man with an outstanding warrant for a murder in Honduras. The bar’s owner, Benjamin Reyna-Flores, was also arrested, according to the Charlotte-based branch of the Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, officials found several underage patrons being served alcohol inside, the youngest of which was 13.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Ritchie said at a Monday morning press conference. “We had information that there was trafficking going on. Being in the business as long as I have, nothing surprises me anymore. Disappointing, yes.”
Charleston County deputies and law enforcement officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and other agencies, targeted the Alamo nightclub about 3 a.m. Sunday.
Ritchie said officials found a known-missing child inside the club, as well as several “potential” human trafficking victims.
The investigation began in November, when local law enforcement received a noise complaint, Ritchie said. Upon further investigation, officials said the nightclub appeared to be operating an unlicensed bar and was believed to be the site of illegal activity, including assaults, potential drug trafficking and more.
Officials also said they found several weapons and drugs at the scene. Seized drugs are still undergoing testing. There also are allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering, but Ritchie emphasized all suspects were innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
State officials lauded local law enforcement efforts in the ongoing investigation.
“While people are sleeping peacefully in their beds at night,” said S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, “the men and women of the state and federal agencies standing up here are out there patrolling the streets of the communities and neighborhoods of this area in Charleston County.”
Ritchie said community members should expect more large-scale operations like this as local law enforcement continues to partner with state and federal agencies.
“Anyone who is operating illegal establishments like this, selling drugs, I don’t care,” he said. “If you are involved in illegal activity in Charleston County, I can assure you there is no place to hide. We are here to make Charleston County safe, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
Concerns over ICE partnership
The operation follows months of community concern over local law enforcement’s involvement with ICE to help carry out immigration enforcement. Former Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano pulled out of the program in 2021, ending an agreement that originally began in 2009. The community was divided when Ritchie decided to rejoin earlier this spring.
On Saturday night, police used a nearby flea market to stage ahead of the sting. Community members described seeing a group of 40 to 50 “heavily armed” officers gathering in the area, leading to fear and concern among local immigrants.
The following morning, the flea market was quiet, according to media reports. Local immigration advocates said they believed that was due to fear of ICE raids and deportation tactics.
At Monday morning’s press conference, Wilson called South Carolina “as much a border state as Arizona,” pointing to rising rates of immigration which he says is fueling drug and human trafficking in the Palmetto State.
“The policies at the top matter,” he said. “But it’s not just the policies at the Southern border. It’s the law enforcement and policies here in South Carolina that matter, too.”
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