Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Deputies seize more than 90 pounds of marijuana during drug bust at South Carolina home. Published: Dec. 10, 2021 at 4:07 PM PST. Politics. They stored it in monetary safe havens around the world but also spent it on homes, cars, and nice vacations. 170 charges filed against defendants linked to Mexican cartel . Got a tip for a story? 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? Drug traffickers used a Mexican eatery and taco trucks to transport drugs around South Carolina, state prosecutors said Wednesday. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The defendants, mostly from South Carolina, were traced to alleged narcotics operations through a 'paper trail' of bank drafts, passports and other documents. Les and another defendant, Wally Butler, were found living in Australia and arrested on May 5, 1983. But these moms believe getting some of the big fish off the street could save the lives of many. Could a rash of recent date rapes in this college town be the focus of city polices ongoing investigation?. 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/. As a true crime community, we promote civil discussions surrounding the alleged crimes of Alex Murdaugh and related entanglements. 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. 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 . 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. Yet our response to the opioid and fentanyl crisis is underwhelming, Tolson said. Heres the link to the podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MurdaughMurders?si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE, IMO This seems way more relevant knowing what we know now! Carolina Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson dies at . 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. 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. Thousands of kilos of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine were pumping into Greenville County.. However, it looks like a lot to us. 7-year-old baseball umpire seeks Guinness World Record. The Lowcountry paper only got part of the story, though . An eight-month investigation at a South Carolina prison has resulted in the confiscation of more than 100 pounds of contraband and 20 arrests, the state's department of corrections announced . Houses, land, boats, and prized cars all disappeared into government coffers, much to the consternation of the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates. Its much more organized, as seen in this case. 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. 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. A man has been arrested for a major drug bust in Rutherford County, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. When all the Operation Jackpot trials were over, more than 100 smugglers went to jail. Hes an incredible person to me of course. He has friends that have died. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. 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 fundraising campaign established to help Sgt. Judge Hawkins died in 2005, Dewey Greager in 2017, and Cam Littlejohn in 2018. Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. Bob Duncan said, 'It will be studied in law enforcement academies for many semesters on how this went so smoothly. Christian K-8 school last year declared that 'we stand with the LGBTQIA+ community and believe in their holiness.' 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. 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. Military Digest Charleston man saved. 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. The return trip home was worse, especially when they were fired upon when straying too close to Cuba. 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. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. Has anyone heard anything? Theyre dealing death: York County, S.C. state leaders speak on fentanyl bust. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. Also Hampton county had 388 overdoses and 15 deaths in one year that seems really high for a county of 19,000 people. We decided to figure out who they were and catch them at home. With this new approach. The longest sentence went to Lee Harvey, who received 40 years for drug smuggling, possession of machine guns and silencers, intimidation of a grand jury witness, and racketeering, among other charges. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. 'We smashed an international drug smuggling operation,' said Frederick B. Verinder, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation. Finally, having an accessible and secluded place to offload was vital. Hero Down: Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg Dies Unexpectedly. With that, Barrys career as a drug smuggler launched, and he enjoyed legendary status among Columbias marijuana enthusiasts. What if someone not affiliated with drugs at all wanted Paul taken out and hired somebody local on the fringes of society? His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. The statement on theinvestigation revealed alleged connections to Mexican drug trafficking cartels operating in South Carolina and Georgia. The Hilton Head Island residents were identified as David A. Childs Jr., 38, and Lynn G. Paul, 40. At last, the High Court ruled that Americas kingpin statute was an extraditable offense in 40 nations of the former British Empire. 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. After college, Les moved to Key West and started a landscaping business, cutting grass for $5. according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. Also important were the right boats: some were made for blue water (long term, open sea) sailing; some were not. So they are applauding the work, knowing much more work needs done. 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. <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> Firefighters hoist horse stranded in backyard swimming pool. Thanks to a corrupt jailer, Bob later escaped from a Charleston County jail and disappeared. Related: Search warrant leads to seizure of more than 30 kilograms of fentanyl in York County. Patty Roberts is not mincing her words when speaking on fentanyl. 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. India News | Press Trust of India | Wednesday December 21, 2022. 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. They would of been BUSTED. [2], Last edited on 2 September 2022, at 16:19, "25 years later, 8,000 pounds of pot could get man 5 years", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Jackpot_(drug_investigation)&oldid=1108113124, This page was last edited on 2 September 2022, at 16:19. So both were allegedly dealing marijuana, right? With each trip, Barry and Les learned more about the smuggling business. This month the DEA made the biggest. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE. News 19 reports that much of the operation was in the Upstate counties. He walked in and stood in front of Barts desk. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. 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. The story is utterly fantastic, with a list of villains so long one has trouble keeping up with them all. 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. Cartels dont play games. ago On Wednesday, a Durham man was arrested after a chase hitting 120 mph and the "Gray Death" drug was found, deputies say. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. U.S. Attorney Henry McMaster stands next to the Dutch Treat, a yacht owned by queenpin Carol Amend until its seizure by the U.S. government under the then-untested legal tactic of civil asset forfeiture. It was unprecedented for the agencies to share information, much less work together and out of the same office. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) - Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright announced Thursday charges for 53 suspects during their Operation Repeat Offender drug operation. Theres no way theyd have the gumption to kill Maggie and Paul. Her son, Adam, fell victim to the drug. 'In layman's terms, this is enough cocaine for . 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. 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. Investigators alleged the drug operation was linked to a Mexican drug cartel. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. WTF? 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. Theyre dealing death, Tolson said. CLICK HERE. 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 man, now-identified as Detric McGowan, was arrested Tuesday morning in a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) drug bust, reports CBS South Carolina affiliate WSPA-TV. And what about all the rumors you preach as gospel. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Our hearts go out to Sergeant Kevin Forsbergs family, friends and colleagues at Broward Sheriffs Office where he served in the BSOs Homicide Unit. 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. March 3 (UPI) -- A sheep spotted wandering loose on a British highway was given a lift back to its owner by a concerned bus driver on her first day on the job. 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. Forsbergs family in the wake of their loss has raised more than $34,000 so far. Piece by piece, the task force identified a web of drug smugglers, half of whom were South Carolina natives. Especially, when it is quite literally close to home. The Canal Street home was raided last Thursday by CPD narcotics agents prior to the Sears arrests. Wild as it seems, the story is true. These are just the highlights of this incredible, true tale. Thousands of grams of cocaine, and hundreds of grams of meth and marijuana were also found, along with four firearms. The investigation was dubbed Las Seoritas because several women among the main targets allegedly fled to Mexico to escape prosecution in the United States. They dont want you to see this Big Tech does its best to limit what news you see. It wouldnt be the best idea but who knows? COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - According to the FBI Columbia Field Office and the Columbia Violent Gang Task Force, nine people were indicted Tuesday for drug . SLED agents began arresting suspects in the case on January 3, 2023 assisted by local law enforcement agencies. Its the most amazing story going on in law enforcement in the United States today, said Henry at the time. 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. Reflecting back, Governor McMaster says, It was virtually impossible to catch them in the act. According to investigators, the large drug operation trafficked in more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, or more than 2,200 pounds. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. Officials refused to identify the fifth Colombian arrested. 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. The co-conspirators also face multiple charges related to their role in the drug trafficking operation. It is much more significant," he said. He was joined at a news conference in Columbia by S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) chief Mark Keel and other authorities. We spent a lot of time together. 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. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! All Rights Reserved. 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. The two men were nicknamed "the Gentlemen Smugglers" given their standards and college education. In 1971, they asked Barry and another hotel guest to sail to Jamaica to bring back 400 pounds of marijuana. In January 1981, Ronald Reagan became president and promoted a stiff policy on drugs. Both suspects were released from the Florence County Detention Center on April 2, 2022, on a $50,000 surety bond each. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. Politics. 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. 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. Well hold the line from here. 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. Kingpin Les Riley, who grew up in Columbia and attended USC, had a Southern upbringing that included hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. 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. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District N.C. Michael Easley announces at the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office the arrest of 20 . They reportedly were part of a drug trafficking organization that operating in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, and Oconee Counties. British bus driver stops to give loose sheep a lift. It was just talked on Wednesday, see you later and there was no later, she said. You didnt have any I love yous or goodbye or nothing. These are low level dealers. He described Hilton Head Island as a 'transhipment point' in the operation, noting that the island is well-suited for smuggling because of its access to deep water. He was an assistant United States attorney at the time. More than 40 people have been charged in the Upstate of South Carolina as part of a drug-trafficking case known as "Las Seoritas," according to Attorney General Alan Wilson. Later, he moved into a Hollywood, Florida, beachside hotel frequented by men who participated in, among other activities, drug dealing. Author: Holly Matkin. 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. SEE IT: Bidens message to Zelenskyy written in Ukraine Royal Palace guest book, Twitter 2023 USSA News, The Tea Party's Front Page. The York County. Cape Fear Bust: 20 arrests, 50 weapons, 10,000 grams of narcotics. Here is the full video of the press conference . Holly Alsobrooks son Cody is one of them. 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.. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? ', Suspected burglar inside New Brunswick home was a panicked deer. Bigs,' arrived to collect the shipment. Large drug bust in Hampton County (for those of you who believe drugs played a role in the murders). All theories are just as valid for the time being. His loved ones and his BSO family will forever carry on his legacy.. 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. 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 five Colombians in custody are Jorge Samuel Cruz, Luis F. Taboada-Garcia, Felipe Janer and Juan Carlos Perez. 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 . Now Canadian cops have charged pastor with hate crime. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - South Carolina's attorney general said an investigation into a drug ring operating in South Carolina and Georgia resulted in 124 criminal charges against 34 people. He was really fun to be with. 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. Copyright 2022 WBTV. 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. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 10 biggest drug busts in U.S. history. Tom Rhoad died in March 2005 after suffering an aneurysm. . 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. certificated salary schedule, homes for rent by owner in madison, tn,