Attorney General Wilson said that drugs in the southeast are typically trafficked across the southern border and sent to Atlanta, where they are then distributed to neighboring states. 3 charged after over 20 pounds of methamphetamine seized in Spartanburg Co. Taco trucks used as part of South Carolina drug trafficking operation These losers may have been the only people left in the county who would hang out with Paul. A major drug bust in upstate South Carolina resulted in 124 charges against 34 defendants allegedly involved with a Mexican cartel trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine in the southeast. According to authorities, six of the . Feds indict 40 in SC organized crime case with ties to drugs, murder According to the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office, the owners of the Los Primos restaurant located in Greenville, South Carolina, allegedly ran and facilitated most of the drug trafficking. https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/local/hampton-county-guardian/2021/07/23/county-wide-operation-pentagon-nets-least-18-arrests-h-c/8075562002/. Defendant Michael Pardi allegedly fled last month. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District N.C. Michael Easley announces at the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office the arrest of 20 . Bob Duncan said, 'It will be studied in law enforcement academies for many semesters on how this went so smoothly. Major drug bust in South Carolina linked to 'violent - TheBlaze Sergeant Forsberg served 21 years with the Broward Sheriffs Office and was a great asset to the BSOs Homicide Unit. With that, Barrys career as a drug smuggler launched, and he enjoyed legendary status among Columbias marijuana enthusiasts. Barry was apprehended at the LaGuardia airport wearing a full-length mink coat. Florida woman runs ultra-marathon distances for 23 consecutive days. In January 1981, Ronald Reagan became president and promoted a stiff policy on drugs. It was just talked on Wednesday, see you later and there was no later, she said. South Carolina Drug Bust Found Drugs Allegedly Being Sold From Recent bookings, Arrests, Mugshots in South Carolina Bookings, Arrests and Mugshots in South Carolina To search and filter the Mugshots for South Carolina simply click on the at the top of the page. Back then, the U.S. Attorneys Office had little security and nothing to keep someone from walking off the street and into a prosecutors office. Drugs, money, torture and murder were all part of a detailed web of gang-related, organized crime that flourished in South Carolina from at least 2017 until now, according to a federal. Rounding up these folks could well get them talking about the big drug bosses. Arrests resulted in insignificant charges, if any, so the two did not feel they were doing anything really criminal. When that happened, the task force only had to call on Henry, who bulldozed through any problem using the considerable political power at his disposal. Four drug-related arrests made at Lancaster, S.C. home - WBTV 'We smashed an international drug smuggling operation,' said Frederick B. Verinder, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation. Methinks a killer(s) may be among those photos?! This is the second drug bust along I-95 in Nash County this week. . It is a drop in the bucket. They learned they could make more money if they obtained their product from Colombia rather than Jamaica. Tolson said the amount of fentanyl recovered in the bust was enough to kill every person in York County. It was a devastating blow to the task force. Rest easy, hero. The Lowcountry paper only got part of the story, though . He is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. Taylor Lynnette Glover (Lancaster County Sheriff's Office) Information from the Los Banditos investigation was used to make another bust in Atlanta, where authorities seized approximately 200 kilos (441 pounds) of methamphetamine, 3.5 kilos (7.7 pounds) of cocaine, 3.2 kilos (7 pounds) of heroin, 5 ounces of cocaine mixed with fentanyl, 183 pounds of marijuana, 900 Xanax pills, and multiple firearms from stash houses in apartments, the attorney general's office said. Forty-three co-conspirators are charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy), which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years. Jury finds Alex Murdaugh guilty on all counts in double murder trial According to investigators, the large drug operation trafficked in more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, or more than 2,200 pounds. All rights reserved. CLICK HERE. Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. 'King Of Five Points' Arrested As Part Of Massive Drug Bust - FITSNews Agents also seized about $1 million in property, including the rented home, the yacht and five vehicles. This major drug trafficking ring was anything but unbelievable, said Solicitor Walt Wilkins. Wilder still, the two main characters hail from Columbia, South Carolina. Operation Jackpot used what was then a new approach: Focusing on the identification and seizure of illicit wealth, then tracing it back to the smugglers bringing tons of marijuana and Lebanese. Similarly, this is why they chose not to traffic cocaine. ', Suspected burglar inside New Brunswick home was a panicked deer. Feds charge 9 with drug charges after 2-year investigation - Live 5 News The attorney general's office said the restaurant served as a regional hub through which drugs were trafficked to other states, with some drugs allegedly trafficked out of taco trucks owned by the restaurant owners. By working with our partners at SLED and local agencies, were able to investigate and prosecute complex trafficking conspiracies like this one and defend the rule of law.. In the 1970s, kingpins and Columbia natives Les Riley and Barry Foy smuggled an astounding amount of marijuana and hashish into South Carolina, equating $1.8 billion in today's dollars. At Henry and Brians suggestion, the two began following the money. They were executed with premeditation. Published: Oct. 24, 2022 at 3:06 AM PDT | Updated: Oct. 24, 2022 at 6:55 AM PDT YORK COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) - The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. A wall in the back of the room filled with pictures of young people in the same situation. A trusted neighbor is on top of a 20-foot ladder in . March 3 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts library said a book was recently returned with a note apologizing for the tome being 56 years overdue. A fundraising campaign established to help Sgt. "A well-known, very violent cartel thats operated for many years in Mexico.. 20 people arrested for using drones to deliver over 100 pounds of He counted playwright Tennessee Williams as a client and musician Jimmy Buffett as a friend. Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. News 19 reports that much of the operation was in the Upstate counties. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. They felt guns were unnecessary and, in fact, invited violence. 63 people face drug charges after South Carolina investigation Smugglers Barry Foy, Les Riley, and Wally Butler celebrate a days catch in Hilton Head at a king mackerel tournament, where they blended into society while leading secret lives. Last week, deputies seized over 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. The payday for smugglers was double that of marijuana. 'They're dealing death': York County, S.C. state leaders speak on Wild as it seems, the story is true. Cam Currie, Bob Jendron, and David Forbes traveled to Australia to meet with authorities there and explain the severity of the charges against the men. CLICK HERE. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency officials have filed a criminal complaint against four South Carolina men accused of operating a "clandestine" drug lab in a residential neighborhood near Lake. Kentucky man stops for breakfast, wins $50,000 lottery prize. He was also a member of the cast of A&Es The First 48, where he and his team raced to solve murders immediately after crimes are committed. But, by pooling their collective expertise, they were an extraordinarily effective weapon against drug smuggling. India News | Press Trust of India | Wednesday December 21, 2022. Theyre dealing death, Tolson said. Greenville, South Carolina--- Acting United States Attorney M. Rhett Dehart announced today that, on Thursday, August 12, 2021, a joint team of 130 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers simultaneously executed 20 federal search warrants and arrested 12 individuals charged in a 34-count federal indictment for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that operated primarily . They grew their network to include names like Tom Rolex Rhoad, John Smokin Sneakers Jamison, Ashley Brunson, Bob Willie the Whale Bauer, Christy Campbell, and Frank Gunn, to name just a few, and occasionally partnered with a Virginia smuggling ring led by Barry Ice Cream Toombs that included Virginia brothers Lee and Michael Harvey. He spent his free time his senior year burning up the road between Columbia and Key West, where he worked as a doorman and eventually met his partner in crime, Barry Foy, in 1973. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Piece by piece, the task force identified a web of drug smugglers, half of whom were South Carolina natives. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. Operation Jackpot defendants were tried in three large batches and represented by well-known South Carolina defense attorneys such as Gedney Howe, Arthur Howe, Ed Bell, and Sol Blatt. WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) - The jury in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial has convicted the disbarred Lowcountry attorney of murdering his wife and son. He has friends that have died. Houses, land, boats, and prized cars all disappeared into government coffers, much to the consternation of the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. Politics. South Carolina partnered with Georgia and federal authorities to make the drug bust. Man who sent videos of adults sexually abusing infants to FBI agent sentenced to 19 years, Questions mount about how John Fetterman was allegedly able to pen letter with fellow Democrats while under supervision for depression in hospital, Thug breaks through child's bedroom window in middle of night but Dad gets whole family out of home, grabs machete, and takes hack at crook, Newly released footage shows horrific moment a suspect fleeing police in stolen vehicle smashed into a sedan, bringing down a building. Still, they had the added challenge of crossing oceans and, in the case of Lebanon, interrupting a civil war that had been raging for five years. The cartel we believe is primarily involved in this is La Familia," Homeland Security Deputy Special Agent Mike Prado said. By FOX Carolina News Staff. According to a news. Alleged drug traffickers in South Carolina used taco trucks to transport pounds of meth, cocaine and heroin, state prosecutors said Wednesday. Simpson Says Hes Not Qualified To Say If Alex Murdaugh Did It. The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office announced that three people were recently charged after over 20 pounds of methamphetamine was found during a narcotics investigation. Both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. Mandy does an amazing job with her investigative journalism. He was a dedicated father, public servant and friend. YORK COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) - The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. Pastor shoved out door, knocked flat on his back after protesting library's drag queen event for children. But these moms believe getting some of the big fish off the street could save the lives of many. Their synergy was really something.. We decided to figure out who they were and catch them at home. With this new approach, the task force leveled the playing field. British bus driver stops to give loose sheep a lift. Related: Search warrant leads to seizure of more than 30 kilograms of fentanyl in York County. Also, 2 guys were arrested one month before the murders on drug charges: https://fox28media.com/news/local/deputies-2-arrested-meth-seized-in-hampton-county-south-carolina-drug-operation. I thought my God thats just a mile from my house. https://youtube.com/@MurdaughMurders?si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE, https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/local/hampton-county-guardian/2021/07/27/two-more-suspects-custody-operation-pentagon-arrest-tally-now-20/5385106001/. Half-ton of cocaine seized aboard yacht docked on resort island The task force used a 1978 amendment to the United States civil forfeiture provisions allowing the seizure of drug-related offenders property before conviction or without any conviction at all. Finally, having an accessible and secluded place to offload was vital. He was joined at a news conference in Columbia by S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) chief Mark Keel and other authorities. Purchase a new subscription and qualify for $100 of fine dining, theater tickets and MORE! Because of lax drug coastal patrols, hometown familiarity and a plethora of inlets, South Carolina was the gentlemen smugglers' most frequent destination for offloading drugs. UNC drug bust lands 21 in jail connected to fraternities | wcnc.com In college at the University of South Carolina, Les was known to take his dates to the roof of. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. In a case reaching both sides of the Rio Grande, 43 Upstate drug trafficking defendants now face a total of 170 charges after being indicted by the South Carolina statewide grand jury. Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. Firefighters hoist horse stranded in backyard swimming pool. It was unprecedented for the agencies to share information, much less work together and out of the same office. Officials refused to identify the fifth Colombian arrested. South Carolina Grand Jury Indicts 43 In 'Las Senoritas' Drug Ring Deputies say that the drug bust happened on Tuesday on Southers. They would of been BUSTED. Overdue book returned to Massachusetts library after 56 years. Hilton Head was marijuana smuggling hotspot before 1980s bust | Hilton The two men were nicknamed "the Gentlemen Smugglers" given their standards and college education. South Carolina: Cartel drug trafficking investigation The third island resident was identified as Kathy G. Gerald, 39. We are forever indebted to his brave service and pray that he will Rest In Peace. For those who want the full story of this local legend, Jackpot is a something-for-everyone kind of tale. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. S.C. circuit court judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for 23 of the 32 defendants. Many of the drugs were allegedly trafficked out of the restaurant, and also out of taco trucks owned by the restaurant, officials said. The verdict came in shortly before 7 p . Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Kingpin Les Riley, who grew up in Columbia and attended USC, had a Southern upbringing that included hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. Charges range from drug trafficking and weapons to burglary and kidnapping. SLED agents began arresting suspects in the case on January 3, 2023 assisted by local law enforcement agencies. Police in South Carolina seized more than 65 pounds of fentanyl Wednesday in a drug raid that officials describe as the largest-ever seizure of . Officials with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department said Javier Ayala has been charged . Barry flew to Jamaica to meet with suppliers, while Les and three others struggled to sail there in storms, high seas, and high winds. LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - Lexington County deputies have arrested a 26-year-old man after investigators found more than 90 pounds of marijuana in his home. The upstate has become a hub," Wilson said at a press conference. Holly Alsobrooks son Cody is one of them. Operation Jackpot - Columbia Metropolitan Magazine So both were allegedly dealing marijuana, right? So they are applauding the work, knowing much more work needs done. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina and before that he was a bass player and a dive bar bouncer. A South Carolina sheriff's office has concluded a one-year investigation into a major drug operation that saw them seizing enough fentanyl to kill around 15 million people. The escapades are daring and dangerous, with heart pounding chases, life-threatening clashes with nature, and audacious smugglers halting a raging civil war on more than one occasion. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); South Carolina's 'Trial of the Century' is over but the 'Murdaugh King Of Five Points Arrested As Part Of Massive Drug Bust In Columbia, South Carolina, Murdaugh Murders: South Carolina Attorney General Must Step In And Remove Rogue Solicitor, Governors Mansion Valet Killed In Car Crash, SCDOT: Internal Audits Show Rash Of Scandals, Alex Murdaugh Sentenced To Life Behind Bars, LIVE FEED Murdaugh Murders Trial: Alex Murdaugh Sentencing Hearing, Murdaugh Murders Trial: Alex Murdaugh Guilty On All Counts. FBI Columbia: Nine indicted on drug trafficking charges If there is a drug connection to Alex, he would definitely be the big fish in the region. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? The return trip home was worse, especially when they were fired upon when straying too close to Cuba. And yes, he has LOTS of hats (including the above-pictured Washington Senators lid). Author: Holly Matkin. The co-conspirators would then drive to Atlanta and other locations to pick up kilograms of methamphetamine, bring it to South Carolina, and then distribute it in the Upstate, according to police and prosecutors. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? Listen online or download the iHeart App. The drugs were busted in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America, and also in the Caribbean Sea. All Rights Reserved. Published: May. According to arrest records, 33-year-old Geoffrey Sears was charged with manufacturing marijuana while 39-year-old Jonathan Sears was charged with possession with intent to distribute and a separate charge of possession with intent to distribute in close proximity to a school. What if someone not affiliated with drugs at all wanted Paul taken out and hired somebody local on the fringes of society? This hit the drug smugglers smack in the purse strings. One of President Reagans earliest actions, on recommendation of Sen. Strom Thurmond, was to appoint Henry McMaster as South Carolinas United States attorney. For those who want the full story of this local legend. The defendants, mostly from South Carolina, were traced to alleged narcotics operations through a 'paper trail' of bank drafts, passports and other documents. District of South Carolina | Thirty Horry County Gang Members and Drug This month the DEA made the biggest. Paul and drugs are rumors . In a statement released jointly by the National Sheriff's Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, Western States Sheriffs' Association, Southwestern Border Sheriffs' Coalition, and Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition, the groups asserted "that the two main drivers of illicit drugs leading to overdoses and violence into the U.S. are Sinaloa 7-year-old baseball umpire seeks Guinness World Record. Defendant Marcy Dawn Vickers allegedly fled in 2022. Youth pastor arrested for inappropriately touching young girls at Roberts says Adam thought he was taking Xanax for his anxiety but ended up with enough fentanyl in his system to kill four people. During the search, agents found suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, buprenorphine, and alprazolam along with digital scales and smoking pipes in the home and in Glover's purse in a car on the property. Its the most amazing story going on in law enforcement in the United States today, said Henry at the time. At this point, it is not immediately clear how either Jonathan or Geoffrey Sears would be connected to such an investigation but hopefully our FOIA request will yield additional information as to the nature (and the status) of this inquiry. On Saturday, Shackeel Aaron Coleman, 29, of Conway, South Carolina, was charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, and maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances. 63 people face drug charges after South Carolina investigation Posted: Mar 31, 2021 / 03:00 PM EDT Updated: Mar 31, 2021 / 03:08 PM EDT SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) - Sixty-three people are facing. Barry and Les decided to look for a quieter entry point for their product. For more information about our use of cookies, our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information generally, and any rights you may have to access, delete, or opt out of the sale of your personal information, please view our. Surrey couple plans to pay off mortgage after winning $500,000. The Canal Street home was raided last Thursday by CPD narcotics agents prior to the Sears arrests.