Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Eric Hughes, 35, of Bluffton, South Carolina; Taylor Place, 23, of Bluffton, South Carolina; and Willie Rice, 25, of Bluffton, South Carolina were charged in a five-count indictment, alleging conspiracy to: a.) distribute U-47700; b.) to distribute Alprazolam, c.) rent property to manufacture counterfeit pills, and d.) manufacturing a controlled substance with reckless disregard for human life, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, 846.

Hughes and Place are also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, a violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h); and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).   Additionally, Place is charged with felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g).  Hughes and Place face a maximum of life in prison while Rice faces a maximum penalty of up to twenty years.

The case was investigated by agents of the DEA in South Carolina and Georgia.  Assistant United States Attorney Jim May is assigned to prosecute the case.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
 

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