I think Paul being a CI is a bit far fetched because there was only casual mention of him smoking weed a handful of times and ONE mention of doing cocaine months prior to the boating accident. 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. 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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. |, 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. Georgia. SLED agents began arresting suspects in the case on January 3, 2023 assisted by local law enforcement agencies. North Carolina. Taco trucks used as part of South Carolina drug trafficking operation 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. 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. Mark Powellisanaward-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. Feds indict 40 in SC organized crime case with ties to drugs, murder ago Tom Rhoad received a 15-year sentence, Barry Foy got 18 years, and Les Riley was sentenced to 21 years. 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. The investigation was dubbed Las Seoritas because several women among the main targets allegedly fled to Mexico to escape prosecution in the United States. Also Hampton county had 388 overdoses and 15 deaths in one year that seems really high for a county of 19,000 people. Got a tip for a story? South Carolina: Man receives million dollar bond after drug bust Surrey couple plans to pay off mortgage after winning $500,000. "A well-known, very violent cartel thats operated for many years in Mexico.. 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 . Theyre dealing death, Tolson said. For more information about our use of cookies, our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information generally, and any rights you may have to access, delete, or opt out of the sale of your personal information, please view our Privacy Policy. 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. Within a short time, the men identified Barry as someone who recently used cash for a large land purchase. Some even volunteered to come along, enticed by the idea of cruising the Caribbean and returning on mattresses of marijuana bales. As a true crime community, we promote civil discussions surrounding the alleged crimes of Alex Murdaugh and related entanglements. The numbers led back to Les. All rights reserved. 5, 2022 at 7:26 PM EDT . Cartels dont play games. S.C. circuit court judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for 23 of the 32 defendants. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. 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. Got a tip for a story? 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. Overdue book returned to Massachusetts library after 56 years. Both suspects were released from the Florence County Detention Center on April 2, 2022, on a $50,000 surety bond each. All these kids have had other friends that have died, said Alsobrooks. A fundraising campaign established to help Sgt. 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 . Taylor Lynnette Glover (Lancaster County Sheriff's Office) Barry Foy followed his prison time with a career in real estate and construction. I could barely move my arms and legs without help.. 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. So both were allegedly dealing marijuana, right? Youth pastor arrested for inappropriately touching young girls at This is absolutely the pill of death, said Patty Roberts, a mother who lost her son to a fentanyl death. Georgia. Illegal drugs,. Obviously this news outlet will keep close tabs on this investigation as it moves forward . Those involved are allegedly in a drug ring associated with Mexican cartels, state officials said. In the 1970s, the drug was widely used, and the publics attitude was apathetic. 20 people arrested for using drones to deliver over 100 pounds of 'For the most part, these drugs were not headed for South Carolina,' he said. These are just the highlights of this incredible, true tale. Possession of drug paraphernalia charge; $95,000 secure bond; . Rounding up these folks could well get them talking about the big drug bosses. 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 association was arrested along with a relative last week on multiple drug charges. . 'They're dealing death': York County, S.C. state leaders speak on After brief attempts at college, first at Newberry College and then at USC, Barry began selling marijuana in Five Points. South Carolina Drug Bust Found Drugs Allegedly Being Sold From For those who want the full story of this local legend. 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. Theres no way theyd have the gumption to kill Maggie and Paul. 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. The property had a deep water dock. Investigators say six defendants in Mexico are now living among Jalisco New Generation Cartel members and are sourcing drugs directly from the cartel. India News | Press Trust of India | Wednesday December 21, 2022. After a drug bust in South Carolina, 34 people are facing charges, according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. Both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges, sending drugs and phones into prison through hollowed out court transcripts, Do not sell or share my personal information. That was a good feeling seeing all those pills were off the street. Pair nabbed with 6.5 kilos of cocaine in arrest along I-95 in Nash So they are applauding the work, knowing much more work needs done. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina and before that he was a bass player and a dive bar bouncer. CLICK HERE. Kingpin Les Riley, who grew up in Columbia and attended USC, had a Southern upbringing that included hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. Purchase a new subscription and qualify for $100 of fine dining, theater tickets and MORE! Les bought a home on Hilton Head, as well as other property, and used it for offloading his merchandise. McClellanvilles creeks were popular, too. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. One of President Reagans earliest actions, on recommendation of Sen. Strom Thurmond, was to appoint Henry McMaster as South Carolinas United States attorney. [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. With that, Barrys career as a drug smuggler launched, and he enjoyed legendary status among Columbias marijuana enthusiasts. The. The sheriff added that 87 people have lost their lives to fentanyl so far in 2022. Tolson said the amount of fentanyl recovered in the bust was enough to kill every person in York County. Charlestons famous restaurant, 82 Queen, was seized as well. March 3 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts library said a book was recently returned with a note apologizing for the tome being 56 years overdue. I believe the drug smuggling is discussed in Podcast Episodes 31 and 32. District of South Carolina | Thirty Horry County Gang Members and Drug 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. Given their standards and their college educations, the two men were nicknamed the Gentlemen Smugglers.. Cape Fear Bust: 20 arrests, 50 weapons, 10,000 grams of narcotics. 'In layman's terms, this is enough cocaine for . 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. An abandoned van full of sacks of Lebanese hashish was found following a raid on Edisto Island in November 1981. 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. 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. 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. 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. National Park Service: 'Never push a slower friend down' in a bear encounter, March 2 (UPI) -- The National Park Service offered some sage advice for park visitors who encounter bears: "Never push a slower friend down. ', Suspected burglar inside New Brunswick home was a panicked deer. Drugs Worth Rs 1,500 Crore Destroyed In Delhi Over 8 Years, 154 Arrested. Roberts says Adam thought he was taking Xanax for his anxiety but ended up with enough fentanyl in his system to kill four people. Here is the full video of the press conference . Back then, the U.S. Attorneys Office had little security and nothing to keep someone from walking off the street and into a prosecutors office. 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. And what about all the rumors you preach as gospel. 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. He was joined at a news conference in Columbia by S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) chief Mark Keel and other authorities. The co-conspirators would then drive to Atlanta and other locations to pick up kilograms of methamphetamine, bring it to South Carolina, and then distribute it in the Upstate, according to police and prosecutors. 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. These losers may have been the only people left in the county who would hang out with Paul. Also, these arrests are reportedly just the beginning of a much broader investigation . "When you look at the I-85 corridor from Charlotte to Atlanta, obviously its an artery for this type of illicit activity.. The story is utterly fantastic, with a list of villains so long one has trouble keeping up with them all. Large drug bust in Hampton County (for those of you who believe drugs played a role in the murders). The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office announced that three people were recently charged after over 20 pounds of methamphetamine was found during a narcotics investigation. The trucks run by Mexican restaurant Los Primos. News 19 reports that much of the operation was in the Upstate counties. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Coast Guard Cmdr. 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. 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. UNC drug bust lands 21 in jail connected to fraternities | wcnc.com Tom Rhoad died in March 2005 after suffering an aneurysm. Rest easy, hero. 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. When all the Operation Jackpot trials were over, more than 100 smugglers went to jail. Defendant Kelli Edwards allegedly fled in October 2022. Half-ton of cocaine seized aboard yacht docked on resort island