Countless Lives Saved in Fight Against Fentanyl in Beaufort County

Since 2022, the number of reported opioid/fentanyl overdoses has dropped by 77 percent. This huge reduction can be attributed to focused enforcement on fentanyl dealers and enhanced partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

In addition, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office has partnered with local nonprofits and community outreach groups to provide and promote education on the dangers of fentanyl. Through our partnership with Beaufort County Crime Stoppers, residents have been able to submit information on drug activity in their community, which is investigated by our Narcotics Division. The work done at the southern border of the United States to stop the flow of fentanyl into the country has also positively impacted this effort.

Sheriff Scott Hammonds has made drug enforcement a top priority. Along with aggressive enforcement by the Drug Unit, Sheriff Hammonds added three K-9 teams that serve all divisions, creating a force multiplier against fentanyl. This approach has resulted in 1,264 grams of fentanyl being taken off the streets of our community in 2025 alone.