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.. 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. South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to life in prison without parole Friday, a day after he was convicted of murder in the shooting deaths of his wife and son. 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. One of the hottest rumors in Hampton county, South Carolina at the moment is that a massive drug bust orchestrated last month by sheriff Thomas "T.C." Smalls is somehow tied to a brutal double homicide that took place in early June at a hunting compound owned by one of the Palmetto State's most prominent families. 170 charges filed against defendants linked to Mexican cartel . The five Colombians in custody are Jorge Samuel Cruz, Luis F. Taboada-Garcia, Felipe Janer and Juan Carlos Perez. SCDNR never sought a warrant to compel the hospital to draw Pauls blood that night, but the hospital did anyway The doctor said that no drugs were found in Pauls system.. I dont believe there was a drug connection to the Murdaughs but it wouldnt surprise me if LE saw this as an opportunity to round up a bunch of local criminals (of varying levels of serious criminality) and see if anything shook loose in exchange for some leniency. Mark Powellisanaward-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. This is absolutely the pill of death, said Patty Roberts, a mother who lost her son to a fentanyl death. About 80 law enforcement officers descended on the home and made the arrests Wednesday without firing a shot, Verinder said. The task force, in concert with the U.S. Attorneys Office, worked to bring the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates to justice. I believe the drug smuggling is discussed in Podcast Episodes 31 and 32. If there is a drug connection to Alex, he would definitely be the big fish in the region. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Military Digest Charleston man saved. On Wednesday, a Durham man was arrested after a chase hitting 120 mph and the "Gray Death" drug was found, deputies say. Operation Jackpot was a federal drug task force based in South Carolina that captured and convicted more than 100 marijuana smugglers from 1983 to 1986 during President Ronald Reagan's War on Drugs. OCDETF plays a key role in the Attorney General's strategy to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics nationwide by identifying, disrupting, and dismantling drug traffickers, money . 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. Federal drug unit targets South Surrey home in bust spanning Lower Mainland. 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. 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. I dont think so either but others have theorized about it so I thought Id post just to show there had been an investigation going on in Hampton county for a year. Les and another defendant, Wally Butler, were found living in Australia and arrested on May 5, 1983. Paul and drugs are rumors . The case is referred to as "Prison Empire," one of the state's largest narcotics conspiracy investigations ever indicted. Well hold the line from here. Bob Byers died in 2004. The investigation and prosecution is known as Operation Jackpot, which was chronicled in a book called, Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. Bob Byers was caught in Antigua by DEA agent Dewey Greager and David Forbes, who posed as buyers of his $900,000 sailboat, La Cautiva. York County and South Carolina leaders say current state and federal laws are not strict enough to keep fentanyl off South Carolina streets so there need to be sweeping changes. Many of the smugglers and kingpins evaded arrest for years, resulting in manhunts across the United States and world through the early and mid-1980s, and captures in Antigua, Australia, Miami, New York, and San Diego. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. A drug hit would not be carried out by the local crew, local boys are just the corner guys, there would be 10 more levels up if not more before you get to the head of the Snake. At last, the High Court ruled that Americas kingpin statute was an extraditable offense in 40 nations of the former British Empire. SCDC Inmates Darrell Foster McCoy, Jr. a/k/a DJ and Matthew David McCoy have been involved in drug trafficking since 2011. So they are applauding the work, knowing much more work needs done. The statement on theinvestigation revealed alleged connections to Mexican drug trafficking cartels operating in South Carolina and Georgia. The verdict came in shortly before 7 p . The Seoritas allegedly coordinated with inmates at the S.C. Department of Corrections (SCDC) via contraband cell phones to deliver drugs primarily methamphetamine to co-conspirators in the South Carolina Upstate. Finally, having an accessible and secluded place to offload was vital. He was really fun to be with. Tom Rhoad died in March 2005 after suffering an aneurysm. We spent a lot of time together. Forsbergs family in the wake of their loss has raised more than $34,000 so far. All rights reserved. Drug traffickers used a Mexican eatery and taco trucks to transport drugs around South Carolina, state prosecutors said Wednesday. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Barry was apprehended at the LaGuardia airport wearing a full-length mink coat. 'We did not make any arrests of users or first-level distributors,' said Verinder. Its the most amazing story going on in law enforcement in the United States today, said Henry at the time. Just like him being a CI . Charges range from drug trafficking and weapons to burglary and kidnapping. On Monday (March 8) South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said that, so far, 100 people are facing 297 counts and 487 charges total, News 19 reports. Youth pastor arrested for inappropriately touching young girls at Eight people suspected of importing the drug from Colombia and distributing it throughout the East Coast were arrested as they arrived at a Sea Pines Plantation Home to pick up the cocaine. UNC drug bust lands 21 in jail connected to fraternities | wcnc.com While law enforcement had tried to catch the smugglers in the past and, in a few instances, succeeded, they were hampered in the 1970s by unsophisticated or nonexistent equipment, insufficient support, and the miles and miles of South Carolina shoreline. 'In layman's terms, this is enough cocaine for every man, woman, and child in South Carolina to get high at least one time,' he said. After serving as U.S. attorney, attorney general, and lieutenant governor, Henry McMaster ascended to South Carolinas governorship in 2017 and was elected to his first full term in November 2018. Politics. The adventurous will enjoy tales of exotic locales, fugitive escapades, and mountains of drugs and money. Unfortunately, Columbia police did not immediately respond to these inquiries and news of the arrests broke Sunday afternoon in The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier. Assistant United States Attorneys Cam Currie, Bob Jendron, Cam Littlejohn, and Bart Daniel assisted in the effort both by helping with asset identification and seizure and with prying criminals out of the countries where they were hiding. March 3 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Britain responded to a home to rescue a horse that had fallen into its owner's swimming pool and was unable to get itself out. Author: Holly Matkin. 'F****** AMATEUR HOUR': Furious Democrats lash out at Biden for announcement on radical DC crime law, Gun-toting road-rage motorist shot dead after armed man warns him to stop approaching him and his wife; cops say it looks like self-defense, Railroad union: Workers getting sick at site of Norfolk Southern's catastrophic hazmat spill in East Palestine, Teen bragged in rap song about killing another rapper, sheriff says, but cried 'like a baby that lost his pacifier' when charged with murder, Florida man allegedly told roommate, 'Im going to go over there and kill them all' before murdering his daughter and 3 others, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Barry and Les met in Key West where, in 1973, Barry persuaded Les that smuggling grass was much more lucrative than cutting it. He has friends that have died. I highly suggest you watch Mandy Matneys Murdaugh Murders Podcast - especially those about Alexs possible connection to drugs smuggling along the east coast. 20 people arrested for using drones to deliver over 100 pounds of The product was better and fetched a higher price. We invite thought provoking exchanges while sharing facts from reliable sources and discussing distinguished theories and speculation while showing the utmost consideration and respect for the victims and being mindful of due process. 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. Feds indict 40 in SC organized crime case with ties to drugs, murder Our hearts go out to Sergeant Kevin Forsbergs family, friends and colleagues at Broward Sheriffs Office where he served in the BSOs Homicide Unit. Police from the Lee County sheriff's office, in coordination with South Carolina correctional authorities, made the busts following an eight-month investigation into the rings, which used drones to make late-night deliveries of contraband to the prison. 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 13 51 51 comments New Add a Comment Tardis301 1 min. The story is utterly fantastic, with a list of villains so long one has trouble keeping up with them all. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); South Carolina Grand Jury Indicts 43 In Las Senoritas Drug Ring, Senate Panel Advances Certificate Of Need Repeal, Murdaugh Murders Media Coverage: Access Issues Debated, Child Sexual Assault Allegations Rock Midlands South Carolina Murder Case, Greg Leon Murder Case: Perjury Charge Filed, SLED Agent Incapacitated On Witness Stand After Reported Drug Exposure, LIVE FEED Murdaugh Murders Trial: Alex Murdaugh Sentencing Hearing, Murdaugh Murders Trial: Alex Murdaugh Guilty On All Counts, O.J. Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. Possession of drug paraphernalia charge; $95,000 secure bond; . CLICK HERE. Chelsie Marie Anderson, Jennifer Nicole Burns, and Amy Deanna Cobb a/k/a Emma allegedly fled to Mexico in late 2018-2020. Consider it one of the more comic scenes in an $850 million drug-smuggling saga that rocked the South Carolina Lowcountry in the early 1980s. Henry and Assistant U.S. Attorney John McIntosh and Cam Littlejohn assisted the Australian prosecutors at the hearing. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. ( WCSC /Gray News) - Authorities in South Carolina say a youth pastor is facing more than a dozen assault charges for inappropriately touching young girls. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Defendant Kelli Edwards allegedly fled in October 2022. They dont want you to see this Big Tech does its best to limit what news you see. South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. The first of three trials began in Charleston before U.S. District Court Judge Falcon B. Hawkins, Jr., even while asset seizures, indictments, and arrest efforts continued with the other smugglers. While Columbia police referenced an ongoing investigation in the statement they provided to the Post and Courier, the paper declined to provide its readers with any additional information as to what that inquiry might entail. Mandy does an amazing job with her investigative journalism. He was as pleasant as can be.. The cocaine was found in secret compartments aboard a twin-masted, 47-foot sailing yacht named the 'Arc.'. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. Yet our response to the opioid and fentanyl crisis is underwhelming, Tolson said. RALEIGH, N.C. Federal authorities have arrested 21 people at the University of North Carolina, Duke University and Appalachian State University in connection with a "large drug network" bust . As a member of the BSO Homicide Unit, Sgt. Simpson Says Hes Not Qualified To Say If Alex Murdaugh Did It. Georgia. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. 8,333 people were booked in the last 30 days (Order: Booking Date ) First Prev David and Chuck fed questions to her for the kingpin and used the information to set a trap. Soldiers would sometimes even help load drugs onto the boats and then, once they were clear of land, fighting resumed. Agents also seized about $1 million in property, including the rented home, the yacht and five vehicles. 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. According to Governor McMaster, The task force decided to use that publicity to let them know we were coming. Some smugglers quickly surrendered or were easily arrested and took plea deals in exchange for testifying against their co-defendants. The theory would hold more weight if there were rumors or gossip of drug use coming out of the woodwork, but I dont think any have come to light. Other choices included an abandoned oyster shelling company on Hilton Head and West Bank Plantation on Edisto Island, owned by Ella Seabrook, grandmother of Barry and Les friend, Skip Sanders. South Carolina busts gangs flying contraband to prison by drone Within a short time, the men identified Barry as someone who recently used cash for a large land purchase. Attorney general Alan Wilson announced the indictments on Thursday. March 3 (UPI) -- A Kentucky man who stopped to buy some breakfast said he lost his appetite when he won $50,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket. Sergeant Forsberg gave and dedicated everything he had to his family, friends, coworkers, and the community.. What if someone not affiliated with drugs at all wanted Paul taken out and hired somebody local on the fringes of society? according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. You didnt have any I love yous or goodbye or nothing. Thanks to a corrupt jailer, Bob later escaped from a Charleston County jail and disappeared. But these moms believe getting some of the big fish off the street could save the lives of many. The 53-year-old sergeants exact cause of death was not released. Conventional thinking was that major smuggling originated in big cities like New York, Atlanta, or Chicago; however, David Forbes with the IRS and Claude McDonald with Customs received enough tips and rumors over the years to believe the culprits were closer to home. The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. They owned homes on St. Barthlemy and drank copious amounts of expensive wine. 'We smashed an international drug smuggling operation,' said Frederick B. Verinder, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation. I believe it was his girlfriend, Morgan Doughty, that said he used cocaine on multiple occasions during her sworn deposition. He said, Hi Bart, my names Christy Campbell, and Im here to turn myself in, says Bart. Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. Christian K-8 school last year declared that 'we stand with the LGBTQIA+ community and believe in their holiness.' South Carolina drug bust catches Charleston college drug ring pushing cocaine, Ecstasy and Xanax By Tobias Salinger NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Jun 24, 2016 at 8:06 pm Nine young people arrested as. The Canal Street home was raided last Thursday by CPD narcotics agents prior to the Sears arrests. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. March 3 (UPI) -- A New Brunswick couple who initially thought a burglar had broken into their home discovered the invader was actually a panicked deer. These are just the highlights of this incredible, true tale. By signing up to the Blaze News newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications from Blaze Media that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content. They learned they could make more money if they obtained their product from Colombia rather than Jamaica. First Published: 1:00 PM PDT, May 19, 2022 Officials seized paraphernalia in South Carolina and Georgia, leading to 34 individuals facing charges. 2023 Columbia Metropolitan. I thought my God thats just a mile from my house. What is the talk on the street? SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) - Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright announced Thursday charges for 53 suspects during their Operation Repeat Offender drug operation. 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. 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. 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 smugglers also borrowed plantations along the coast owned by rich Northerners who rarely visited. The co-conspirators also face multiple charges related to their role in the drug trafficking operation. In college at the University of South Carolina, Les was known to take his dates to the roof of. Nine indicted on federal drug trafficking conspiracy in South Carolina S.C. circuit court judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for 23 of the 32 defendants. Medical Marijuana bill passes NC Senate; some cannabis supporters against bill, Re-using the cheater beans from breakfast for dinner with Chef Elizabeth, Product Test: Elissia and Caroline try out bundt cake pan with removable bottom, The Best of Charlotte Bridal Show at Camp North End on March 19th, Licensed counselor Felice Hightower talks impact of Social Media Algorithms, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. 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. The sheriff added that 87 people have lost their lives to fentanyl so far in 2022. Recent bookings, Arrests, Mugshots in South Carolina - Recently Booked Operation Jackpot - Columbia Metropolitan Magazine Bob Byers got a 25-year sentence plus eight years for his escape. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? Im thinking serious cartel and/ or gang bosses who are higher up. He spent his free time between classes his senior year burning up the road between Columbia and Key West, Florida, where he worked as a doorman. Alleged drug traffickers in South Carolina used taco trucks to transport pounds of meth, cocaine and heroin, state prosecutors said Wednesday. 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. Feds bust major meth trafficking ring in Lexington, 17 arrested - WIS In January of this year, reporter Kailey Cota of The Daily Gamecock the student newspaper for The University of South Carolina reported that multiple students and other Five Points patrons reported being illegally drugged at Cotton Gin, Pavlovs Bar and Jakesduring the fall 2020 semester., At least three victims submitted incident reports in connection with these alleged druggings describing how they felt nauseous, dizzy and then vomited and blacked out., By the time we had driven from Cotton Gin [I was] completely limp, one victim recalled. Forsbergs death in a Facebook post several days later. They were executed with premeditation. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. 'For the most part, these drugs were not headed for South Carolina,' he said. These are low level dealers. March 3 (UPI) -- A 7-year-old Louisiana boy with a firm grasp of baseball rules is seeking a Guinness World Record as the world's youngest umpire. Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony announced Sgt. Thousands of grams of cocaine, and hundreds of grams of meth and marijuana were also found, along with four firearms. 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. Bigs,' arrived to collect the shipment. 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 . While it was a more lucrative product, cocaine smugglers invariably toted automatic weapons. But, by pooling their collective expertise, they were an extraordinarily effective weapon against drug smuggling. South Carolina's Operation Jackpot broke new ground for civil asset When the hospital drug tested Paul the night of the boating accident, there were no drugs in his system. "A well-known, very violent cartel thats operated for many years in Mexico.. March 3 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts library said a book was recently returned with a note apologizing for the tome being 56 years overdue. Plantation, FL Broward Sheriffs Office (BSO) Sergeant Kevin Forsberg died unexpectedly on Jan. 27. Holly Alsobrooks son Cody is one of them. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu. After a drug bust in South Carolina,. History and legal buffs will appreciate reliving the 1970s with the challenges faced by the task force and the ingenuity used to achieve its objective. And what about all the rumors you preach as gospel. Thats so many kids that could have died. Organized by U.S. Attorney Henry McMaster, Operation Jackpot was one of the first federal drug task forces to use newly enacted federal civil forfeiture laws to combat drug smugglers by seizing the gentlemen smugglers' assets, including homes, cars, money and boats.