Myrtle Beach man sentenced to 20 years for trafficking heroin

A Myrtle Beach man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for trafficking heroin in Horry County.

Tiant Alfonso Smith, 39, of Myrtle Beach pleaded guilty to trafficking heroin, intent to distribute methylone and two counts of possession of a stolen firearm.

Judge Steven H. John sentenced Smith to 20 years for trafficking, 20 years for intent to distribute and five years for the weapons charges. The sentences will run concurrently, which means Smith will serve 20 years in prison, according to a press release from the Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

In February 2014, Smith shipped a FedEx package filled with 200 slips of heroin from New York to Horry County, officials said.

Smith had a “history of dealing cocaine, and instead of being rehabilitated in prison, he came out of prison and continued to sell drugs,” the release said.

Investigators with the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit, aided by the S.C. Law Enforcement Division, traced Smith to his residence where they executed a search. Officials found heroin, methylone – a drug similar to MDMA (sometimes known as “Molly”) – and stolen guns, the release said.

Smith’s jury trial started Monday and wrapped up Tuesday, and he was given until Friday at noon to turn himself in, officials said.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach man sentenced to 20 years for trafficking heroin."