Trafficking Heroin landed Chancellor D. Montgomery in prison for 15 years without the possibility of parole during his plea today in Lexington County. Trafficking heroin is considered a violent crime. Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes and Assistant Solicitor Bradley Pogue handled the prosecution of this case for the office.

Solicitor Rick Hubbard stated, “Our approach to the heroin and opioid epidemic is multifaceted. First, to eliminate the dealers and suppliers from our streets. Secondly, to offer treatment programs such as Drug Court for those who are addicted and seeking recovery.”

Montgomery’s arrest followed a routine traffic stop by Columbia Police Department, SC Officer Steven Sulser at 300 Harbison Boulevard, in close proximity to Columbiana Centre in Lexington County. Montgomery was found to be in possession of 56 grams of heroin, a large quantity of cocaine, and bundles of the psycho-stimulant bath salts known by the street name “flakka.”

Montgomery was also in possession of two loaded .380 handguns, digital scales used for weighing drugs, and $1,170.00 in cash. The street value of the recovered drugs is estimated to be over $10,000. Evidence found during the investigation of Montgomery, including an extraction of his cell phone, confirmed that he was a dealer with multiple connections in the Midlands area.

Today’s sentence sends a clear message to drug dealers in Lexington County. Heroin is an extremely dangerous drug and we will continue our approach of eliminating its dealers from our streets.