Sniff search leads to large drug bust, repeat offender arrested

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – A repeat offender is back in jail after Berkeley County deputies pulled over a vehicle for an out-tag light and discovered a large amount of narcotics and opioids, among other drugs.

Shawn Casey Thieman was arrested and charged with trafficking heroin, trafficking methamphetamine with more than 100 grams but less than 200 grams, possession of a scheduled narcotic, and manufacturing a scheduled narcotic.

Thieman has been arrested 13 times since 2012, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.

During the traffic stop, the driver and the passenger, identified as Thieman, consented to a person search but not a vehicle search. The Summerville Police Department then assisted by bringing a K9 to conduct a free air sniff search of the vehicle, which yielded an alert.

Deputies then performed a probable cause search and found a black safe behind the passenger seat. Authorities used the keys taken from Thieman’s pocket to open the safe and discovered the following:

• 11.2 grams of a substance that field tested positive for fentanyl
• 191.1 grams of a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine
• 92.1 grams of marijuana
• 68 klonopin pills
• 20 morphine pills

Thieman claimed ownership of the safe’s contents. He is currently at the Hill-Finklea Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.