FLORENCE, S.C. -Samual Earl Ramu, age 34, of Johnsonville, S.C., has been ordered to serve nearly 22 years in federal prison after being convicted of conspiring to distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine from inside the walls of the South Carolina Department of Corrections.  

Understanding the Crimes of Samual Earl Ramu

Evidence presented in court demonstrated that Samual Earl Ramu was the leader of a drug trafficking organization while in SCDC. Samual Earl Ramu used others outside prison to conduct transactions on his behalf using a contraband cell phone. Samual Earl Ramu attempted to have others use drones to drop contraband inside the prison.  In total, Ramu was held accountable for conspiring to distribute 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, along with quantities of fentanyl and marijuana.

“We are very grateful for our local, state, and federal law enforcements partners to include the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as we continue to quickly respond, disrupt, and dismantle the efforts of those who attempt to poison our communities with fentanyl or methamphetamine,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The use of contraband cell phones and drones to advance criminal activity will continue to be met with the full force of federal investigation and prosecution in South Carolina.”

“Drug traffickers who threaten our communities with deadly substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine cannot hide from Homeland Security Investigations—even behind prison walls. Our work protects the public by ensuring that those who endanger our neighborhoods are held accountable, no matter where they operate. This case is a testament to the power of our partnership with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and our unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe,” said Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Ramu has prior convictions for several drug trafficking offenses and was serving a 15-year state sentence for possession with intent to distribute heroin and trafficking methamphetamine during the commission of this offense.  Samual Earl Ramu was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison to be followed by a term of supervised release of 5 years.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, and the S.C. Department of Corrections.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett McMillian is prosecuting the case.