Narcotics, Alcohol, Vice Special Operations and Investigations

The Narcotics, Alcohol, Vice Special Operations and Investigations Services Unit address specific areas of enforcement and investigations to assist local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies by providing specialized resources and manpower.  SLED’s Vice Unit offers specialized services dealing with criminal activities statewide related to narcotics, dog fighting, immigration, human trafficking, alcohol, tobacco, and gambling.

Narcotics

The primary mission of SLED Narcotics is to provide quality assistance to local and federal law enforcement agencies in many areas of drug enforcement. Narcotics Agents are highly skilled and dedicated to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling drug trafficking organizations through advanced surveillance techniques, intelligence gathering and sharing, and strategic collaboration with law enforcement agencies across the state.

Narcotics FAQ

Alcohol Enforcement

Alcohol Enforcement Agents are responsible for investigating potential violations of South Carolina’s beer, wine, and liquor laws.  While their law enforcement authority is not limited, Agent’s primary focus is enforcing criminal laws related to alcohol regulation and illegal gaming in South Carolina.  Agents conduct inspections of licensed establishments, investigate unlicensed operations, and perform compliance checks utilizing underage cooperating individuals (UCI) to ensure adherence to state regulations.

To report a complaint, please contact SLED Alcohol Enforcement at 803-896-5591 or complete the complaint form below.

Criminal Laws – Alcohol Enforcement Agents are directly responsible for the enforcement of criminal laws related to alcohol and illegal gambling. South Carolina Criminal Statutes relating to these specific areas can be found within the South Carolina Code of Laws. SC Code of Laws Title 61 - https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/title61.php and Title 16 - https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/title16.php

Administrative Violations – In addition to criminal laws, businesses licensed by the SC Department of Revenue to sell alcoholic beverages must comply with administrative regulations governing alcohol sales and consumption.  It is important to note that while violations of criminal laws are adjudicated through criminal court, administrative rule violations are investigated by agents with final dispositions determined by the SC Department of Revenue or an Administrative Judge.  Administrative Violations may result in fines, penalties, license suspensions, or license revocation.

SC Alcohol Administrative Regulations Chapter 7- Alcoholic Beverages, Beer and Wine https://www.scstatehouse.gov/coderegs/statmast.php

Gambling – Alcohol Enforcement Agents are also responsible for investigating illegal gambling in South Carolina. The South Carolina Constitution prohibits lotteries (except those conducted by the state) and games of chance, with few exceptions. SC Code of Laws Title 16 – Chapter 19 https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/title16.php

Tastings – Locations licensed by the SC Department of Revenue (SCDOR) may host alcohol Tastings in accordance with specific guidelines. SCDOR has the sole and exclusive power to suspend and revoke a manufacturer's, wholesaler’s, or retail dealer's license. Please go to SCDOR’s website for information related to guidelines and regulations to avoid a license suspension or revocation.

Please note, in compliance with Chapter 4 and Chapter 6 of Title 61 SC Code of Laws, when sending notice of planned tasting to SLED, please email tastings@sled.sc.gov at least ten days prior to the scheduled event.  Be sure to include a copy of Certification of Liability with each notice.

Alcohol Enforcement FAQ

Alcohol Licensing

The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) establishes rules and regulations for alcohol licensing. Citizens apply for licenses through SCDOR.  SCDOR forwards applications to Alcohol Licensing Agents for investigation. These agents assess the applicant and proposed location for compliance with SCDOR requirements. Once the investigation is complete, SLED Alcohol Licensing Agents submit their findings to SCDOR. Based on the evaluation, SCDOR either approves the application and issues a license or denies it.

More Information

• SCDOR Alcohol Beverage Licensing - https://dor.sc.gov/tax/abl
• SCDOR Alcohol Beverage Licensing (ABL) – 803-898-5864
• SC Alcohol License Type or Search for Licensed Locations - Just go to https://mydorway.dor.sc.gov/_/, and choose Alcohol License Locations under the Compliance column.

Alcohol Licensing FAQ

Dogfighting

Dogfighting is one of the most heinous forms of animal cruelty and is a felony in South Carolina.  Dogfighting often involves participants who are involved in many other serious criminal activities.  Illegal gambling is almost always present, and participants are often involved in other violent crimes, including interpersonal violence and gang activity.  Nearly all dogfighting raids result in the discovery and seizure of illegal drugs and about two-thirds result in the seizure of weapons.  The strong link between dog fighting and broader criminal behavior underscores the need for enforcement and prevention.  Further, one of our goals is to increase awareness of this crime and provide training to recognize potential dogfighting activity so that action can be taken.

SLED Agents, within the Dogfighting Unit, are highly trained and specialized in many areas including officer safety, trauma care, high risk traffic stops, cost of care, animal cruelty investigations, and large-scale dogfighting investigations.  

The SLED Dogfighting Unit partners with the Humane World for Animals, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and K2 Solutions for services to of response, dog removal/storage/care, crime scene processing, veterinary care.

Agents in this unit respond to both formal and informal requests and complaints from local and federal agencies as well as concerned citizens from across South Carolina.

Human Trafficking

Since 2012, South Carolina has comprehensive laws to combat human trafficking, primarily codified in Section 16-3-2010 and Section 16-3-2020 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Under Section 16-3-2010, "trafficking in persons" encompasses actions such as recruiting, enticing, soliciting, isolating, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining a victim, with the knowledge or intent that the individual will be subjected to sex trafficking, forced labor or services, involuntary servitude, or debt bondage.

To report a tip or crime involving human trafficking, please call 803-896-7253 or complete the tip form below.

SLED agents trained in human trafficking investigations are assigned to Vice Special Operations and Investigations.  They handle complaints and referrals from various sources, including the SC Department of Juvenile Justice, SC Department of Social Services, SC Attorney General’s Office, and the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

The mission of SLED’s Human Trafficking Unit is to collaborate with multidisciplinary partners across South Carolina and to investigate human trafficking cases. In addition to investigations, this unit provides specialized training to law enforcement agencies statewide on human trafficking and other special victim crimes and offers technical expertise for anti-trafficking operations.

These agents work closely with local and federal law enforcement agencies throughout South Carolina to combat trafficking and related crimes. To learn more about human trafficking and SLED’s efforts in fighting these crimes, follow the links below.

More Information

• National Human Trafficking Hotline Phone Number 1 888-373-7888 or https://humantraffickinghotline.org
• SC Attorney General’s Office - https://www.scag.gov/human-trafficking/
• SC State Human Trafficking Taskforce - https://www.scag.gov/human-trafficking/

Immigration Unit

The mission of the Immigration Enforcement Unit is to deter, disrupt, and eliminate criminal activity linked to illegal immigration by enforcing federal and state immigration laws. The unit is also responsible for developing specialized training programs for local law enforcement agencies, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources needed to effectively implement, manage, and enforce applicable immigration laws.

Lottery Investigation

Lottery Agents are primarily involved in the enforcement of South Carolina Code of Laws 59-150-260A as it pertains to the South Carolina Education Lottery (S.C.E.L.). The Agents work in conjunction with the Director of Security at the S.C.E.L and answer complaints throughout South Carolina. The cases focus on the theft of and attempted redemption of tickets including the attempted cashing of altered tickets. These complaints come to SLED through the S.C.E.L. Director of Security.

More Information

• SC Education Lottery Security Information – call 803-737-2002 or check out the Security Brochure
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Tobacco Enforcement

Tobacco Enforcement Agents enforce tobacco tax laws of South Carolina. Agents inspect retail locations to ensure the cigarettes within locations are listed on the Tobacco Directory published by the SC Attorney General’s Office. The Tobacco Directory is a list of tobacco product manufacturers and tobacco products that are in compliance with the Escrow Fund Act and the Tobacco Escrow Fund Enforcement Act. The Tobacco Directory is updated on the 1st and 15th of each month.

More Information

• SC Attorney Generals Tobacco Enforcement- https://www.scag.gov/inside-the-office/legal-services-division/tobacco/