Les and Barry considered marijuana a nearly legal product. So far, law enforcement has only publicly said that a large amount of marijuana was discovered at a residence on Canal Street drive in Columbia, S.C. along with cash and a firearm. 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. A fundraising campaign established to help Sgt. 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 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. The property had a deep water dock. That is certainly what it would seem like. A trusted neighbor is on top of a 20-foot ladder in . York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson gathered with some S.C. lawmakers Monday, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, to talk about the lack of laws to combat fentanyl in the state. U.S Attorney E. Bart Daniel said the half-ton of uncut cocaine valued at $10 million was the largest confiscation of drugs in South Carolina history. The case is referred to as "Prison Empire," one of the state's largest narcotics conspiracy investigations ever indicted. The case was investigated by the South Carolina State Grand Jury, which was assisted in this case by a partnership of the Attorney Generals State Grand Jury Division, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General, the Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit, the Thirteenth Circuit Solicitors office, Anderson County Sheriffs Office, Pickens County Sheriffs Office, Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office, Easley Police Department, Abbeville County Sheriffs Office, and the Oconee County Sheriffs Office. Click this link for the original source of this article. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! 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. 9 arrested after drug bust in Greenwood County, deputies say. 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. Investigators alleged the drug operation was linked to a Mexican drug cartel. The co-conspirators also face multiple charges related to their role in the drug trafficking operation. Rounding up these folks could well get them talking about the big drug bosses. 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. . Thank you for your service. 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. Theres no way theyd have the gumption to kill Maggie and Paul. ', Suspected burglar inside New Brunswick home was a panicked deer. Hes an incredible person to me of course. All of these experiences relate to the astounding volume of marijuana and hashish smuggled into South Carolina by the so-called Gentlemen Smugglers with a street value, in todays dollars, of $1.8 billion. Detric McGowan Arrested in Alleged South Carolina Drug Bust after Story Went Viral February 27, 2019, 4:19 PM This good Samaritan who went viral for buying $540 worth of Girl Scout cookies was. Purchase a new subscription and qualify for $100 of fine dining, theater tickets and MORE! They were executed with premeditation. 'They were headed for New York City and Miami.'. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Barry flew to Jamaica to meet with suppliers, while Les and three others struggled to sail there in storms, high seas, and high winds. The Delhi Police on Wednesday destroyed over 2,800 kgs of . March 3 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts library said a book was recently returned with a note apologizing for the tome being 56 years overdue. The Lowcountry paper only got part of the story, though . 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. Officials say they tracked down . As with anyone accused of committing any crime, the Sears are considered innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system or until such time as they may wish to enter some form of allocution in connection with a plea agreement with prosecutors related to any of the charges which have been filed against them. Just like him being a CI . So both were allegedly dealing marijuana, right? Bob Duncan said, 'It will be studied in law enforcement academies for many semesters on how this went so smoothly. In college at the University of South Carolina, Les was known to take his dates to the roof of Cornell Arms to smoke marijuana and enjoy the sunset. Listen online or download the iHeart App. Just after the first trial, a man did just that. Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins said in thestatement, This was a very large scale organized drug operation that allegedly was trafficking kilograms of drugs every week into Greenville County,, The hard work and dedication of the Greenville Drug Enforcement Unit, SLED, and the South Carolina State Grand Jury has significantly decreased the availability of drugs in the Greenville Community and arrested some of its worst drug dealers., Aristocrat Constance Marten and Sex-Offender Mark Gordon's Missing Baby Found Dead in Countryside, Cops Say, GOP Legislator Introduces Bill That Would Eliminate Florida's Democratic Party, Florida Student, 17, Who Attacked Teacher to Be Tried as Adult, Woman Convicted in Connection to Lady Gaga Dognapping Sues Singer for $500,000 Reward Money, 5 Ballet Dancers Seriously Injured in California Hit-and-Run Car Crash Strive to Heal to Return to the Stage, 17-Year-Old Michigan Boy Slain by 13-Year-Old and 14-Year-Old Who He Offered Ride Home on Cold Night: Police. Large drug bust in Hampton County (for those of you who believe drugs played a role in the murders). Drugs Worth Rs 1,500 Crore Destroyed In Delhi Over 8 Years, 154 Arrested. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. In college at the University of South Carolina, Les was known to take his dates to the roof of. But these moms believe getting some of the big fish off the street could save the lives of many. Barry Foy followed his prison time with a career in real estate and construction. Wilson announced. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children. And what about all the rumors you preach as gospel. Im his mother what else would I say. While it was a more lucrative product, cocaine smugglers invariably toted automatic weapons. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? |, All of these experiences relate to the astounding volume of marijuana and hashish smuggled into South Carolina by the so-called Gentlemen Smugglers with a street value, in todays dollars, of $1.8 billion. However, it looks like a lot to us. Officials with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department said Javier Ayala has been charged . 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. For those who want the full story of this local legend, Jackpot is a something-for-everyone kind of tale. 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. To source the best marijuana, Barry partnered with another smuggler named Bob the Boss Byers, who took Barry into the mountains of Colombia to meet farmers directly. David and Chuck fed questions to her for the kingpin and used the information to set a trap. Both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. But where are the principals in this drama now? It was just talked on Wednesday, see you later and there was no later, she said. 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 '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 North Charleston authorities, Vernon Tyrell Willis, 26, has been arrested and charged with 13 counts of second-degree assault and battery. 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. 'We did not make any arrests of users or first-level distributors,' said Verinder. Mario Pacella 1612 Newcastle, Suite 201 Brunswick GA 31520 (912) 264-6465 (Phone) (877) 787-6652 (Toll-Free) (912) 264-2470 (Fax) Centrally located in Columbia, South Carolina, the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. They felt guns were unnecessary and, in fact, invited violence. He said, Hi Bart, my names Christy Campbell, and Im here to turn myself in, says Bart. Henry and Assistant U.S. Attorney John McIntosh and Cam Littlejohn assisted the Australian prosecutors at the hearing. Banned items included crack cocaine, knives, tobacco, guns, phones, and even candy. What if someone not affiliated with drugs at all wanted Paul taken out and hired somebody local on the fringes of society? Large drug bust in Hampton County (for those of you who believe drugs played a role in the murders). 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. Minnesota officer removes jar from raccoon's head. Patty Roberts is not mincing her words when speaking on fentanyl. National. Thats so many kids that could have died. Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. Daniel said the cocaine could have been sold for about $100 million if processed into crack. 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. After brief attempts at college, first at Newberry College and then at USC, Barry began selling marijuana in Five Points. 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. 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. 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. 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. Her son, Adam, fell victim to the drug. What is the talk on the street? The defendants, mostly from South Carolina, were traced to alleged narcotics operations through a 'paper trail' of bank drafts, passports and other documents. CLICK HERE. Bob Byers got a 25-year sentence plus eight years for his escape. 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. 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. We spent a lot of time together. HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- A yacht loaded with 1,100 pounds of cocaine was seized by federal agents on luxurious Hilton Head Island in a raid that federal officials said Thursday smashed an international drug smuggling ring. The five Colombians in custody are Jorge Samuel Cruz, Luis F. Taboada-Garcia, Felipe Janer and Juan Carlos Perez. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? Politics. The surviving Gentlemen Smugglers still gather occasionally at an event they call The Felons Ball., In the fall of 1986, in a speech in Columbia, President Reagan said, Operation Jackpot was our first major breakthrough in our war on drugs.. <p>Pounds of various drugs were transported by taco trucks owned by a restaurant as part of a large drug-dealing operation in South Carolina, state authorities said Wednesday.</p> On Wednesday, a Durham man was arrested after a chase hitting 120 mph and the "Gray Death" drug was found, deputies say. Given their standards and their college educations, the two men were nicknamed the Gentlemen Smugglers.. South Carolina partnered with Georgia and federal authorities to make the drug bust. This was a year-long investigation that resulted in the arrests of six people. 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. I thought my God thats just a mile from my house. Especially, when it is quite literally close to home. 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. This hit the drug smugglers smack in the purse strings. Our hearts go out to Sergeant Kevin Forsbergs family, friends and colleagues at Broward Sheriffs Office where he served in the BSOs Homicide Unit, the FPBA said. South Carolina. Reflecting back, Governor McMaster says, It was virtually impossible to catch them in the act. 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. Kingpin Les Riley, who grew up in Columbia and attended USC, had a Southern upbringing that included hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. 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. "A well-known, very violent cartel thats operated for many years in Mexico.. Under South Carolina law, trafficking in cocaine is a felony punishable by a prison term of between 25 and 30 years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted and a fine of up to $200,000. Possession of drug paraphernalia charge; $95,000 secure bond; . Soldiers would sometimes even help load drugs onto the boats and then, once they were clear of land, fighting resumed. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? You didnt have any I love yous or goodbye or nothing. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. Now it's closing after donors sent school a big message. Similarly, this is why they chose not to traffic cocaine. represent clients in a variety of civil and criminal matters. Another tip came through phone numbers salvaged from a suspected drug boat scuttled in the Edisto River. We decided to figure out who they were and catch them at home. With this new approach. It was a winning decision not just for the Operation Jackpot prosecutors but also for the global war on drugs because it would discourage future American drug kingpins from fleeing to those countries to avoid prosecution. 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. According to authorities, six of the . Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The statement on theinvestigation revealed alleged connections to Mexican drug trafficking cartels operating in South Carolina and Georgia. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. Click this link for the original source of this article. Theyre dealing death: York County, S.C. state leaders speak on fentanyl bust. I believe it was his girlfriend, Morgan Doughty, that said he used cocaine on multiple occasions during her sworn deposition. They would of been BUSTED. I highly suggest you watch Mandy Matneys Murdaugh Murders Podcast - especially those about Alexs possible connection to drugs smuggling along the east coast. Bookings are updated several times a day so check back often! Overdue book returned to Massachusetts library after 56 years. Ten other defendants are currently in prison. After a drug bust in South Carolina, 34 people are facing charges, according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. The payday for smugglers was double that of marijuana. About 80 law enforcement officers descended on the home and made the arrests Wednesday without firing a shot, Verinder said. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. Barry Foy and Les were making so much money it was hard to figure out what to do with it all. Surrey couple plans to pay off mortgage after winning $500,000. Updated October 21, 2022 8:37 AM. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. The product was better and fetched a higher price. Mandy does an amazing job with her investigative journalism. Could a rash of recent date rapes in this college town be the focus of city polices ongoing investigation?. I live in a small ass county not in South Carolina Our local da parades around big drug bust like this once a year. It is a drop in the bucket. If its similar in Hampton county none of the people were major players instead addict selling to other addicts but who knows. 'This has been the most aggressive, high-tech, team-oriented operation in the history of South Carolina,' Daniel said. NYC Asking People to Give Bikes to Illegal Aliens! 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. 170 charges filed against defendants linked to Mexican cartel . 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. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 10 biggest drug busts in U.S. history. Jonathan Sears who owns or co-owns a lengthy list of Columbia establishments including The Bird Dog, The Cotton Gin, The Gourmet Shop, Hendrix, Jakes Bar and Pavlovs was arrested along with his relative, Geoffrey Sears, on Blossom Street last Thursday by officers of the Columbia, S.C. police department (CPD). Some even volunteered to come along, enticed by the idea of cruising the Caribbean and returning on mattresses of marijuana bales. Wilder still, the two main characters hail from Columbia, South Carolina. March 2 (UPI) -- A Florida woman earned a Guinness World Record when she completed 23 ultra-marathon runs -- 31.1 miles -- in a 23-day period. 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. Investigators say six defendants in Mexico are now living among Jalisco New Generation Cartel members and are sourcing drugs directly from the cartel. 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. This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://bluelivesmatter.blue and its author. SLED agent Robert Stewart and Bart Daniel also traveled to Australia while the case was being appealed. And hes just missed beyond words, she said. He was an assistant United States attorney at the time. A normal hashish load had a street value of $90 million. Both suspects were released from the Florence County Detention Center on April 2, 2022, on a $50,000 surety bond each. On the other side are the avengers the scores of investigators and prosecutors that read like a whos who of South Carolina legal minds. The story is utterly fantastic, with a list of villains so long one has trouble keeping up with them all. The cartel we believe is primarily involved in this is La Familia," Homeland Security Deputy Special Agent Mike Prado said. So when she sees the huge spread of the same drug that killed her child on a sheriffs office table instead of someones system, she is hopeful but cautious. Updated: Oct. 29, 2020 at 4:30 PM PDT. '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. 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. The owner of multiple businesses in the Five Points shopping and entertainment district in downtown Columbia, South Carolina - and the former vice president of its influential neighborhood. York County, SC. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. Their synergy was really something.. According to a news. Attorney General Alan Wilson said a joint investigation in the Upstate called "Los Banditos" alleges much of the drug trafficking was run and . Georgia. The investigation, asset seizures, defendant arrests, and trials were full of extraordinary tales and consumed the lives of task force members for four years. 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 todays dollars. One of South Carolina's largest drug smuggling bust News, news, seriousness, tension(1077866) - Lyrebirds music. Les Riley lives on Seabrook Island. Sergeant Forsberg was a great father, family man, great person, great friend to those who knew him, and a great law enforcement officer, the tribute read. Between February 1, 2021, and December 14, 2022, law enforcement seized over 25 kilograms of methamphetamine (with a street value of approximately $800,000) and 30 guns as part of this investigation. . March 2 (UPI) -- A Maryland woman scored a $100,000 prize from a scratch-off lottery ticket less than 12 hours after she scored an $11,000 jackpot at a casino. Bone-Breakers, crossbow . CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Nine people are facing federal charges after a major drug bust in the Hollywood area of southern Charleston County. Obviously this news outlet will keep close tabs on this investigation as it moves forward . 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. David and fellow task force member Chuck Pittard were interviewing a friend of Barry Foys in Manhattan when Barry called her, saying he and his family were on their way to New York. The verdict came in shortly before 7 p . U. S. Attorney Ron Parsons announced on Wednesday that 37 people have been federally-indicted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces' Operation Say Uncle. The. 'These are all upper-level or. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg, both blood and blue. 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.
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