The Myrtle Beach Police Dept. announced that the Coral Sands Motel is closed after a court issued a temporary injunction that prohibits operation for one year from the order or when a final order is entered.
The court found that “the volume of calls for service related to drugs, drug use and overdoses was alarming to say the least," according to documents.
The evidence presented by the police department and the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office showed the properties allowed for, "chronic illicit drug sales, use, and overdoses to take place."
Management and security were also shown to be involved in the purchase of illegal drugs from tenants and provide discounts on rooms in exchange for drugs and sex acts, MBPD said.
Police said the investigation discovered that management accepted cash in exchange for allowing people to sell drugs at the Coral Sands with a room set aside for drug use and prostitution.
Finally, in issuing the order the court found that evidence presented, "established the premise that this property is continually used for a haven for drug traffickers and users alike.”
The joint investigation was started in March of 2021 by the MBPD and the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office after continued reports and complaints about the property.
Myrtle Beach Police Chief, Amy Prock, said, “It was ongoing activity, from not only during the day, but in the evening hours. Our officers were responding for calls of service.”
Chief Prock said her team has been constantly responding to 911 calls from the community about the Coral Sands Motel since 2018.
Prock said, “Our focus was to address those complaints related to drug activity, related to prostitution.”
She explained how they tried to communicate the severity of these calls with the owner and management at Coral Sands.
“When we work with our business owners and operators, we really want to make sure- one, that they understand what’s going on in the property and those that are either operating the business, they’re aware of what’s going on,” said Prock.
However, the Chief said they wouldn’t comply.
She explained, “At that point, it was not working, so we had to address it through the investigation; and addressing it through the nuisance’s case.”
Since February 2018, city officers and officials have met with the business owner and its manager to address the motel's situation and high calls for service.
Despite working with the owner and manager, the Coral Sands did not correct the issues and remained a "public nuisance," the police department said.
Chief Prock said communication with the community plays a large role in addressing issues like this.
She said, “Public safety is a shared responsibility, it’s about making a difference.”
The chief said working with business owners and the community to stop crimes like this gives them the opportunity to get relief in that area and focus on others that still need attention.
“The Myrtle Beach Police department is committed to building partnerships with the business community to address issues that result in harm to our city,” said Chief Amy Prock. “We will not tolerate the operation of businesses that cause harm to others or to our community.”
“‘If you see something, say something,” Prock emphasized. “We address those locations and we continue to focus our efforts on that intelligence-led policing.”
The chief was adamant about giving credit to not only her team for responding to calls of service but other police stations and first responders, like firefighters and paramedics, who respond to these calls of service.
We also reached out to the attorney representing coral sands owner- but we’re still waiting to hear back.Investigators determined the motel allowed most of the guests to use Coral Sands to distribute illegal drugs and engage in prostitution, according to the police department.
The full document for the order for temporary injunction can be read below:
The full document for the court summons can be read below: