25-year drug sentence

An Easley man has been sent to federal prison for 25 years for violating drug distributions laws. Bruce Allen Howland is 58 years old. There is no parole in the federal system. According to acting U-S Attorney Lance Crick, evidence presented at a change of plea hearing last week indicated that two confidential sources under the supervision of law enforcement placed recorded calls to Howland and arranged a meet at his trailer. On the call, Howland told the confidential sources that he was “good,” meaning that he had drugs available to be purchased. The confidential sources were searched and equipped with recording devices before going to Howland’s property. They purchased two grams of methamphetamine using funds provided by law enforcement. They left the trailer, turned over the drugs to law enforcement, and were searched again. Based on the controlled purchase, law enforcement obtained a search warrant and executed it. Howland was in the trailer and refused to open the door. Forced entry was made. Investigators seized three pounds of crystal meth and one pound of liquid meth. Howland had a lengthy history of drug distribution dating back to 1992. The case was investigated by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.