Myrtle Beach Drug Boss Sentenced to Over 9 Years in Federal Prison on Oxycodone Conspiracy Charge

Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Leroy Anthony Griffin, 31, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to over 9 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute oxycodone.

Evidence presented to the court showed that this case involved a drug trafficking organization (DTO) in which Griffin, and others at his direction or on his behalf, presented counterfeit and forged prescriptions for oxycodone tablets to various pharmacies in South Carolina and elsewhere.  During the investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) seized multiple counterfeit and forged oxycodone prescriptions which were linked to the DTO.  DEA and DHEC also interviewed numerous persons who were involved in the DTO and who identified Griffin as the boss, man in charge, and source of supply for oxycodone, at whose direction they filled counterfeit and forged oxycodone prescriptions. 

On January 31, 2018, agents and officers executed a federal search warrant at a house in Conway. During execution of the search warrant, agents and officers found Griffin in the house hiding in a closet under a pile of clothes.  Agents and officers seized from the house two laptops as well as multiple cell phones containing text messages related to drug distribution, pictures of counterfeit prescriptions, and incoming calls from various pharmacies.  Agents linked the phone numbers of the phones seized to phone numbers printed on the counterfeit prescriptions. 

United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of Spartanburg, sentenced Griffin to 110 months in federal prison, to be followed by a six-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

“Drug trafficking organizations like the one run by Leroy Griffin are flooding our streets with highly addictive prescription opioids like oxycodone,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Dismantling these criminal enterprises and prosecuting those who operate them are critical steps toward loosening the grip of the opioid epidemic on our communities.  We are grateful to DEA, DHEC, SLED, and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit for their continued efforts to stop the unlawful diversion and distribution of legitimate prescription drugs.”

Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division stated, “The amount of prison time Mr. Griffin received correctly reflects his leadership role as the source of supply for dangerous opioid prescriptions like oxycodone. This sentencing removes yet another dangerous criminal from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to indulge in drug trafficking. DEA, its law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office will relentlessly pursue and ultimately prosecute criminals like Mr. Griffin.” 

The case was investigated by the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad and DHEC, assisted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit. 

Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

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