BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – A routine traffic stop in Berkeley County ended with the arrest of a convicted felon after deputies allegedly discovered firearms, illegal drugs and evidence of drug distribution inside his vehicle, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Duane Lewis announced Wednesday that Carlos F. Cordero, 28, of Red Bank Road, was arrested following the stop in the Ladson area. He is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, second offense.
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According to the sheriff’s office, deputies stopped a white Lexus near the intersection of College Park Road and Highway 78 after observing both a traffic violation and a window tint violation.
Investigators said Cordero told deputies he had a handgun inside the vehicle. While speaking with him, deputies reportedly saw AR-15-style magazines in plain view and noticed a .45-caliber round on the driver’s seat. Cordero also informed deputies that marijuana vape pens were inside the vehicle.
The admissions and items observed during the stop prompted deputies to conduct a probable cause search of the vehicle.
During the search, investigators said they recovered approximately 1.07 grams of cocaine, 12.24 grams of marijuana, two THC vape pens containing about two grams each, multiple digital scales and plastic bags commonly associated with drug distribution, a Tisas 1911 .45-caliber handgun and a PSA SNEK-15 .223-caliber rifle.
Authorities said a records check confirmed Cordero had a prior felony conviction, making him legally prohibited under both South Carolina and federal law from possessing firearms.
Cordero was arrested and transported to the Hill-Finklea Detention Center, where he was booked on the charges.
The case remains under investigation by the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.
