Major Methamphetamine Bust Caps Year-Long Investigation in Lancaster County

LANCASTER, SC – A year-long investigation by the Lancaster County Multijurisdictional Narcotics Task Force culminated yesterday, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, with the arrest of Lonnie Rojohn Crawford, Jr., 27, and the seizure of over three pounds of suspected methamphetamine, along with other illicit drugs and firearms.¹

The extensive investigation began last year, during which investigators successfully made four controlled purchases of suspected methamphetamine from Crawford. Each of these transactions involved more than ten grams of the substance, a quantity consistent with charges of Trafficking Methamphetamine. Earlier this month, another controlled purchase further solidified the case against Crawford.

Recent developments provided investigators with sufficient probable cause to obtain a search warrant for Crawford’s residence on Oakridge Road in Lancaster. Early Wednesday morning, a coordinated team descended upon the home, including members of the Narcotics Task Force, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office investigators, the Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, the Street Crimes Unit, and agents from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Upon entering the residence, investigators found Crawford, a 28-year-old woman, and a one-year-old child. Crawford was immediately arrested on the outstanding warrants related to the prior controlled purchases and transported to the Lancaster County Detention Center. The woman and child were safely escorted from the home while the search was conducted; the woman was not charged in connection with the incident.

The search of Crawford’s home yielded a significant haul of narcotics: over three pounds of suspected methamphetamine, 11.95 grams of suspected fentanyl, nearly three ounces of suspected crack cocaine, and 28.4 grams of suspected marijuana. Investigators also located three pistols, digital scales, and vacuum bags – items commonly used in the packaging and distribution of narcotics. As a result of these findings, additional arrest warrants were obtained for Crawford.

Crawford now faces a litany of charges, including:

• Trafficking Methamphetamine 10-28 Grams (five counts)
• Trafficking Methamphetamine over 400 Grams
• Trafficking Fentanyl 4-14 Grams
• Trafficking Crack Cocaine 28-100 Grams
• Distribution of Marijuana
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
• Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime (six counts)

A magistrate denied Crawford’s bond Wednesday afternoon.

Sheriff Barry Faile commended the investigative efforts, stating, “Evidence gathered during this investigation tells us lots of narcotics were passing through Crawford’s hands and being distributed in our community. Task Force investigators worked long and hard on this investigation with the help of SLED and HSI. The timing of this search was spot on, and a lot of narcotics were taken out of the pipeline Wednesday morning. We will continue to build cases like this, enlist the help of our partner agencies, and put people in jail who sell drugs.”

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Authorities encourage anyone with information about this case or any other criminal activity to contact the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at 803-283-3388 and select Option 4. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at www.p3tips.com/983 or by downloading the P3Tips mobile app, available for both Apple and Android devices.