(Candice Finley, Ashley Fite, Richard Fisher and Christopher McGugan were arrested when agents executed a search warrant at Cloud 9, 1807 Bush River Road in Columbia.)
Lexington County Sheriff’s Department narcotics agents arrested four individuals May 27 after executing a search warrant at a store known to sell drug paraphernalia.
“Several pounds of spice, a variety of synthetic marijuana, and approximately $4,200 in cash were seized from Cloud 9 on Bush River Road,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “We’ve been watching the location for quite some time and clearing out its inventory is important because of the amount of drugs that have been moving in and out of the store.”
The owner of the store, 31-year-old Candice Finley, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
Cloud 9’s manager, 33-year-old Ashley Fite, was also arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.
Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Two customers who were in the store at the time investigators executed the search warrant, 31-year-old Richard Fisher and 33-year-old Christopher McGugan, were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Finley, Fite and Fisher are free on bond. McGugan is being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.
The investigation into the operation and sales of Cloud 9 is still open. Anyone with information about the store should call CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372). Anonymous tips can be submitted here.