Hartsville man arrested with 7 pounds of marijuana

DARLINGTON - Law enforcement officers with the Darlington County Multijuris-dictional Task Force seized more than 7.1 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of more than $5,000, more than $2,000 in cash, firearms, two vehicles and a lawn maintenance business and arrested one in a drug raid on a Hartsville area residence Thursday morning.

Officers served a search warrant at a residence at 1714 Blanding Drive at about 11 a.m., according to investigators.

The raid followed what investigators said was an extensive undercover investigation that is continuing.

Authorities arrested Nazareth Montrel Stevenson, 33, who lives at the residence and charged him with distribution of marijuana, distribution of marijuana within close proximity of a school and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, said Capt. Andy Locklair of the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators said the seizure was larger than average for this area.

“It puts a big dent into drug dealing in that area when you take this much at one time,“ said Darlington County Sheriff Wayne Byrd.

Authorities also seized an array of lawn mowers, string trimmers and other yard care equipment from a small lawn care business that was operated from the residence, Locklair said.

“When you get this amount of drugs, you’re dealing with somebody who’s not a user but a dealer,“ Locklair said.

Locklair said investigators are working to determine the source of the drugs.