Two men facing state charges in ongoing investigation into unsanctioned Charleston County nightclub

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — Two men are now facing state-level alcohol, weapons, and narcotics charges in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal activity at an unsanctioned nightclub in Charleston County.

Multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies carried out a targeted sting operation at the Alamo club on Highway 78 around 3 a.m. on June 1, which resulted in the arrests of 80 people, including two alleged high-level cartel members and one person wanted in an international murder investigation.

Warrants provided June 6 by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) indicate that further investigation in the aftermath of what has been called “Operation Last Stand” has resulted in additional charges against two individuals.

Benjamin Reyna Flores, 59, was charged with Sale of Alcohol by an Unlicensed Person, Unlawful Storage of Alcoholic Liquors, Unlawful Sale of Liquor and Unlawful Sale of Beer.

Terone Lavince Lawson, 44, was charged with Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms
Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine and two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Crimes.

The warrants state that Lawson was working as a security guard at the nightclub at the time of the raid, and that drugs and weapons were found in his vehicle.

Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said during a June 2 press conference that the agency had been monitoring the unlicensed club since November 2024.

Authorities said seven people believed to be victims of human trafficking were discovered inside the club during the raid, as well as a missing juvenile.

More than 70 people who were taken into custody were believed to be in the country illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The agency also claimed the club was run by a suspected member of Los Zetas, a Mexican drug cartel.

But few details surrounding who exactly was swept up in the operation have raised concerns of racial profiling among some in the Hispanic and Latino communities, with immigration advocates calling for more transparency.

“Many of us are too afraid to speak up — not because we’re guilty, but because we fear retaliation,” Alejandar Delaveea said in a June 6 press conference. “Because we don’t have legal status. Just being in the wrong place at the wrong time is treated like a crime — even if it’s your first offense. If living life is a crime, then I guess I’m guilty… but one thing I won’t be is silent.”

The investigation remains ongoing.