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BCSO: Nearly $4 Million Worth of Marijuana Confiscated from Hanahan Warehouse

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis and Hanahan Chief Dennis Turner announced Tuesday the arrests of two men charged with marijuana trafficking.

The case was the result of investigative work done by the Berkeley County Narcotics Task Force (NTF). The Berkeley County Narcotics Task Force is made up of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, City of Hanahan Police Department, Moncks Corner Police Department, and the City of Goose Creek Police Department.

Joseph Francis McLaughlin, 48, and David Thomas Barber, 41, were both arrested on December 21, 2018 after an investigation was conducted.

On December 21, 2018, a detective with the Berkeley County NTF was conducting a parcel investigation into suspicious ground freight being shipped to an industrial warehouse location in Hanahan.

The NTF began observation and conducted surveillance on the incident location and observed McLaughlin and Barber arriving to the warehouse. The Detective made contact with the subjects and it resulted in them being detained while search warrants were obtained. Once the search warrants were received, 896 pounds of high-grade marijuana was located and seized, along with a vehicle, handgun and US currency.

The recovered property includes:

  • 896 pounds of marijuana
  • 1999 Ford F350 Dually Pickup Truck
  • Ruger LCP .380 Handgun
  • $3,120.00 in US Currency

The street value of the seized marijuana is approximately four million dollars.

McLaughlin is charged with Trafficking Marijuana (100lb-2000lb), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Violent Crime, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Violent Crime, Possession of Ammunition by a Person Convicted of a Violent Crime. McLaughlin is also facing additional charges in Charleston County. Barber is charged with Trafficking Marijuana (100lb-2000lb).

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