Three people arrested in narcotics investigation

By: Traci Bridges | SCNOW
Published: March 18, 2011

FLORENCE, S.C. --

Three people were arrested Thursday as the result of a Florence Police Department narcotics investigation.

The investigation began about two months ago and culminated Thursday in the execution of a search warrant at an apartment in the Bentree Apartments Complex. During that search, narcotics agents seized 52 hits of Ecstasy and 36 hits of LSD, Florence Police Major Carlos Raines said.

Ecstasy, or MDMA, is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that is chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. MDMA produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth, and distortions in time, perception, and tactile experiences.

The LSD has an estimated street value of $1,000, while the Ecstasy has a street value of $1,200, Raines said.

Charged are Ashlee Nicole Rowe, 21, of 200 Bentree Lane; Donald Lloyd, 26, of 907 Olanta Highway, Effingham; and Matthew Mills, 25, of 4170 Lemacks St., Dalzell. All three are charged with possession with intent to distribute LSD, possession with intent to distribute MDMA and simple possession of marijuana.

Mills and Lloyd also are charged with filing a false police report in connection with another incident that occurred in March, Raines said. The two called police to report their apartment had been broken into. They claimed a flat screen television, a laptop computer and some other items were stolen, Raines said. But when police executed the search warrant Thursday, they found those items in a closet.

Anyone with information on illegal narcotics activity in the city of Florence is asked to call the Florence Police Department at (843) 676-8800.