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. Les Riley lives on Seabrook Island. Hero Down: Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg Dies Unexpectedly. The couple is also known as Rob and Lynn Greene. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Attorney General Alan Wilson said a joint investigation in the Upstate called "Los Banditos" alleges much of the drug trafficking was run and . Both suspects were released from the Florence County Detention Center on April 2, 2022, on a $50,000 surety bond each. Judge Hawkins died in 2005, Dewey Greager in 2017, and Cam Littlejohn in 2018. 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. Those murders look very much like a drug hit and probably not a hit by some low down on the food chain drug users. I highly suggest you watch Mandy Matneys Murdaugh Murders Podcast - especially those about Alexs possible connection to drugs smuggling along the east coast. The sheriff added that 87 people have lost their lives to fentanyl so far in 2022. 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. SLED agent Robert Stewart and Bart Daniel also traveled to Australia while the case was being appealed. Overdue book returned to Massachusetts library after 56 years. 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. Four drug-related arrests made at Lancaster, S.C. home - WBTV If its similar in Hampton county none of the people were major players instead addict selling to other addicts but who knows. As a true crime community, we promote civil discussions surrounding the alleged crimes of Alex Murdaugh and related entanglements. 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. They learned they could make more money if they obtained their product from Colombia rather than Jamaica. The numbers led back to Les. 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 product was better and fetched a higher price. 170 charges filed against defendants linked to Mexican cartel . His loved ones and his BSO family will forever carry on his legacy.. The McCoys were served with notice of the states intention to seek life without the possibility of parole at their bond hearings last week. Recent bookings, Arrests, Mugshots in South Carolina - Recently Booked India News | Press Trust of India | Wednesday December 21, 2022. |, 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. 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. 2022 Blaze Media LLC. The investigation was dubbed Las Seoritas because several women among the main targets allegedly fled to Mexico to escape prosecution in the United States. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg, both blood and blue. He counted playwright Tennessee Williams as a client and musician Jimmy Buffett as a friend. The post Hero Down: Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg Dies Unexpectedly appeared first on The Police Tribune. 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. Others, including Barry and Les, were harder to bring in. Those involved are allegedly in a drug ring associated with Mexican cartels, state officials said. I believe it was his girlfriend, Morgan Doughty, that said he used cocaine on multiple occasions during her sworn deposition. Youth pastor arrested for inappropriately touching young girls at 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. The task force, in concert with the U.S. Attorneys Office, worked to bring the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates to justice. 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. Coast Guard Cmdr. 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. 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.. Defendant Kelli Edwards allegedly fled in October 2022. Youre gonna eventually know someone this has happened to and I think Cody would be very proud of all of us for trying to help stop this problem, said Alsobrooks. 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 . He was really fun to be with. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Nine people are facing federal charges after a major drug bust in the Hollywood area of southern Charleston County. Defendant Marcy Dawn Vickers allegedly fled in 2022. South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. All rights reserved. North Carolina. 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. "A well-known, very violent cartel thats operated for many years in Mexico.. I thought my God thats just a mile from my house. On Wednesday, a Durham man was arrested after a chase hitting 120 mph and the "Gray Death" drug was found, deputies say. ', Suspected burglar inside New Brunswick home was a panicked deer. This hit the drug smugglers smack in the purse strings. Its much more organized, as seen in this case. Click this link for the original source of this article. 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. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Barry Foy and Les were making so much money it was hard to figure out what to do with it all. They stored it in monetary safe havens around the world but also spent it on homes, cars, and nice vacations. The co-conspirators also face multiple charges related to their role in the drug trafficking operation. Wilkins said the amount of drugs flowing through upstate South Carolina is at the highest level he's ever seen. To cut costs, Amazon delays completion of second headquarters, closes retail stores, 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'True Romance' actor Tom Sizemore dead at 61, Dozens killed, injured as Jakarta fuel depot fire engulfs neighborhood, Migrant woman dies after U.S. Coast Guard stops vessel carrying 54, 3 children killed, 2 hospitalized in North Texas domestic incident. Thank you for your service. So they are applauding the work, knowing much more work needs done. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. 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. 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. New live-action 'Peter Pan' trailer shocks with major character changes, Jane Fonda Suggests She Was Set Up During Fox Interview, The Biden Administration is Just Insane & Should Be Removed At Once. 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. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District N.C. Michael Easley announces at the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office the arrest of 20 . Ultimately, Operation Jackpot would indict four smuggling rings operating in South Carolina. Patty Roberts is not mincing her words when speaking on fentanyl. He has friends that have died. Hilton Head was marijuana smuggling hotspot before 1980s bust | Hilton Obviously this news outlet will keep close tabs on this investigation as it moves forward . Our hearts go out to Sergeant Kevin Forsbergs family, friends and colleagues at Broward Sheriffs Office where he served in the BSOs Homicide Unit. . Reflecting back, Governor McMaster says, It was virtually impossible to catch them in the act. While both men delegated sailing and offloading to others early on, they enjoyed the thrill of smuggling and the lifestyle it afforded them, and they were always in search of a bigger adventure. With that, Barrys career as a drug smuggler launched, and he enjoyed legendary status among Columbias marijuana enthusiasts. Curiously, though, police did not immediately say what type of drug Jonathan Sears allegedly possessed/ intended to distribute. It wouldnt be the best idea but who knows? 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. 'King Of Five Points' Arrested As Part Of Massive Drug Bust - FITSNews Houses, land, boats, and prized cars all disappeared into government coffers, much to the consternation of the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates. Rest easy, hero. These are low level dealers. 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. 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. Civil wars and ocean chases pound the heart of the thrill-seeker. The case is referred to as "Prison Empire," one of the state's largest narcotics conspiracy investigations ever indicted. 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. Does anybody else think its just an amazing coincidence that LE rounded up all these local Hampton/ Colleton county drug knuckleheads about a month after the Murdaugh murders? As native South Carolinians, they did not take long to settle on the lush Carolina coast, with its virtually endless waterways and, in the 1970s, undeveloped seclusion. Representatives from various federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency, United States Customs, and the IRS, were invited to a meeting in Columbia to form a task force along with SLED. <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> The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. He eagerly implemented it in South Carolina. Within a short time, the men identified Barry as someone who recently used cash for a large land purchase. 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News of these arrests was first sent to our tip line early Friday morning and FITSNews sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the city seeking information related to the arrests over the weekend. Mark Powellisanaward-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. In this article we take a look at the 18 biggest drug busts in US history. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Pastor shoved out door, knocked flat on his back after protesting library's drag queen event for children. Les and another defendant, Wally Butler, were found living in Australia and arrested on May 5, 1983. Alex Murdaugh gets life in prison in murder of wife, son Still, it was more than they could spend. 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. In the 1970s, the drug was widely used, and the publics attitude was apathetic. 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 . pic.twitter.com/d7G9ESlzUY, Florida Police Benevolent Association (@FL_PBA) January 30, 2023. 63 people face drug charges after South Carolina investigation At last, the High Court ruled that Americas kingpin statute was an extraditable offense in 40 nations of the former British Empire. Got a tip for a story? Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. Forsberg oversaw a unit of dedicated men and women, who all collectively work tirelessly to protect the community from some of societys most dangerous individuals, his obituary read. The Canal Street home was raided last Thursday by CPD narcotics agents prior to the Sears arrests. 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.. Folks, if this was a bag full of terrorists, if this was anthrax, our response would be overwhelming. 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. Piece by piece, the task force identified a web of drug smugglers, half of whom were South Carolina natives. Deputies seize more than 90 pounds of marijuana during drug bust at In 1971, they asked Barry and another hotel guest to sail to Jamaica to bring back 400 pounds of marijuana. 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. The next big adventure came through importing hashish from faraway locales like Lebanon and Singapore. Officials refused to identify the fifth Colombian arrested. 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. Taco trucks used as part of South Carolina drug trafficking operation Its the most amazing story going on in law enforcement in the United States today, said Henry at the time. As a member of the BSO Homicide Unit, Sgt. 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. Les and Barry enjoy a ride on a fishing boat with Barry displaying a bag of pot. In most areas, major highways were within an easy distance, aiding quick distribution to major cities like Atlanta; New York; Washington, D.C.; and Chicago. Last week, deputies seized over 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. 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. I could barely move my arms and legs without help.. All theories are just as valid for the time being. Just after the first trial, a man did just that. Purchase a new subscription and qualify for $100 of fine dining, theater tickets and MORE! In January 1981, Ronald Reagan became president and promoted a stiff policy on drugs. CLICK HERE. 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. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Deputies seize more than 90 pounds of marijuana during drug bust at South Carolina home. Finally, having an accessible and secluded place to offload was vital. 8,333 people were booked in the last 30 days (Order: Booking Date ) First Prev First Published: 1:00 PM PDT, May 19, 2022 Officials seized paraphernalia in South Carolina and Georgia, leading to 34 individuals facing charges. With a heavy heart, we announce the untimely loss of a longtime employee, Sergeant Kevin Forsberg, who passed away on Friday, January 27, 2023, Sheriff Tony wrote. What if someone not affiliated with drugs at all wanted Paul taken out and hired somebody local on the fringes of society? Bob Byers got a 25-year sentence plus eight years for his escape. All rights reserved. LEXINGTON, S.C. (WIS) - A more than two-year investigation landed 17 people in federal custody as authorities busted a drug trafficking ring in the Midlands. 100 charged in 'Prison Empire;' South Carolina's largest drug ring