Barry flew to Jamaica to meet with suppliers, while Les and three others struggled to sail there in storms, high seas, and high winds. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! 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. CLICK HERE. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. 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 CLICK HERE. Wilder still, the two main characters hail from Columbia, South Carolina. The Canal Street home was raided last Thursday by CPD narcotics agents prior to the Sears arrests. 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. Throughout the extensive multi-agency investigation, it was revealed that the much of the drug trafficking was coordinated by current and former prison inmates through contraband cell phones. March 2 (UPI) -- A Minnesota police officer came to the rescue of a raccoon he spotted running around with a jar stuck over its head. S.C. circuit court judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for 23 of the 32 defendants. 'We did not make any arrests of users or first-level distributors,' said Verinder. 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. NYC Asking People to Give Bikes to Illegal Aliens! Wilkins said the amount of drugs flowing through upstate South Carolina is at the highest level he's ever seen. They owned homes on St. Barthlemy and drank copious amounts of expensive wine. Hero Down: Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg Dies Unexpectedly. Kentucky man stops for breakfast, wins $50,000 lottery prize. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. The Lowcountry paper only got part of the story, though . Tolson said the amount of fentanyl recovered in the bust was enough to kill every person in York County. That is apparently the maximum for the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl drug charges. Bob Byers got a 25-year sentence plus eight years for his escape. 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. For those who want the full story of this local legend. Im his mother what else would I say. 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. Purchase a new subscription and qualify for $100 of fine dining, theater tickets and MORE! March 3 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts library said a book was recently returned with a note apologizing for the tome being 56 years overdue. 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. 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 arrests culminated a five-months investigation by the FBI, the Coast Guard, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Customs Service and the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department. After brief attempts at college, first at Newberry College and then at USC, Barry began selling marijuana in Five Points. Thousands of kilos of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine were pumping into Greenville County.. Well hold the line from here. The adventurous will enjoy tales of exotic locales, fugitive escapades, and mountains of drugs and money. The trucks run by Mexican restaurant Los Primos. But where are the principals in this drama now? The Hilton Head Island residents were identified as David A. Childs Jr., 38, and Lynn G. Paul, 40. The Delhi Police on Wednesday destroyed over 2,800 kgs of . 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. They reportedly were part of a drug trafficking organization that operating in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, and Oconee Counties. South Carolina partnered with Georgia and federal authorities to make the drug bust. Deputies say that the drug bust happened on Tuesday on Southers. The full list of defendants and the charges they each face can be found here. 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. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. 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. All rights reserved. The two men were nicknamed the Gentlemen Smugglers given their standards and college education. Finally, having an accessible and secluded place to offload was vital. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) - Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright announced Thursday charges for 53 suspects during their Operation Repeat Offender drug operation. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? Here is the full video of the press conference . Les and Barry considered marijuana a nearly legal product. 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. I live in a small ass county not in South Carolina Our local da parades around big drug bust like this once a year. "Theres much more volume flowing into our communities. Given their standards and their college educations, the two men were nicknamed the Gentlemen Smugglers.. After a drug bust in South Carolina,. The upstate has become a hub," Wilson said at a press conference. Two rules were sacrosanct: no guns and no smuggling cocaine. Listen online or download the iHeart App. The McCoys were served with notice of the states intention to seek life without the possibility of parole at their bond hearings last week. The task force, in concert with the U.S. Attorneys Office, worked to bring the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates to justice. 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. 'These definitely are major players.'. It is much more significant," he said. Defendant Kelli Edwards allegedly fled in October 2022. Others, including Barry and Les, were harder to bring in. With each trip, Barry and Les learned more about the smuggling business. 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. 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. 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. One of President Reagans earliest actions, on recommendation of Sen. Strom Thurmond, was to appoint Henry McMaster as South Carolinas United States attorney. Officials say they tracked down . Just like him being a CI . 'They were headed for New York City and Miami.'. Sergeant Forsberg served 21 years with the Broward Sheriffs Office and was a great asset to the BSOs Homicide Unit. "A well-known, very violent cartel thats operated for many years in Mexico.. He walked in and stood in front of Barts desk. Folks, if this was a bag full of terrorists, if this was anthrax, our response would be overwhelming. These are just the highlights of this incredible, true tale. That was a good feeling seeing all those pills were off the street. CLICK HERE. 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. All rights reserved. Agents also seized about $1 million in property, including the rented home, the yacht and five vehicles. Illegal drugs,. Some even volunteered to come along, enticed by the idea of cruising the Caribbean and returning on mattresses of marijuana bales. Mandy does an amazing job with her investigative journalism. 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. The agents deserve all the credit, says Bart Daniel of the task force. Bookings are updated several times a day so check back often! 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. A fundraising campaign established to help Sgt. Her son, Adam, fell victim to the drug. As a true crime community, we promote civil discussions surrounding the alleged crimes of Alex Murdaugh and related entanglements. Les Riley lives on Seabrook Island. The Coast Guard monitored the vessel's trip from Colombia to the dock at the rented home in the exclusive Sea Pines Plantation development, but authorities waited for six days until the distributors, known as 'Mr. 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. 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. Banned items included crack cocaine, knives, tobacco, guns, phones, and even candy. 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. This is absolutely the pill of death, said Patty Roberts, a mother who lost her son to a fentanyl death. 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. According to investigators, the large drug operation trafficked in more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, or more than 2,200 pounds. 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. 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. A 30-month long ordeal ensued as the Australian court wrestled with whether the two could be extradited on a drug kingpin charge. 'These are all upper-level or. 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? They were executed with premeditation. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. 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! Deputies seize more than 90 pounds of marijuana during drug bust at South Carolina home. 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 . No way drug dealers did this imo . Operation Jackpot defendants were tried in three large batches and represented by well-known South Carolina defense attorneys such as Gedney Howe, Arthur Howe, Ed Bell, and Sol Blatt. On Wednesday, a Durham man was arrested after a chase hitting 120 mph and the "Gray Death" drug was found, deputies say. This major drug trafficking ring was anything but unbelievable, said Solicitor Walt Wilkins. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District N.C. Michael Easley announces at the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office the arrest of 20 . Those murders look very much like a drug hit and probably not a hit by some low down on the food chain drug users. For those who want the full story of this local legend, Jackpot is a something-for-everyone kind of tale. Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. 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. 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. Possession of drug paraphernalia charge; $95,000 secure bond; . Also, these arrests are reportedly just the beginning of a much broader investigation . 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. Cartels dont play games. Drug traffickers used a Mexican eatery and taco trucks to transport drugs around South Carolina, state prosecutors said Wednesday. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. Mark Powellisanaward-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. Large drug bust in Hampton County (for those of you who believe drugs played a role in the murders). 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Barry was apprehended at the LaGuardia airport wearing a full-length mink coat. SLED agents began arresting suspects in the case on January 3, 2023 assisted by local law enforcement agencies. Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? Law enforcement says the people arrested for this crime will face 15 years in prison. 2023 Columbia Metropolitan. 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. 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 . This was a year-long investigation that resulted in the arrests of six people. All rights reserved. Still, it was more than they could spend. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? 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. Florida woman runs ultra-marathon distances for 23 consecutive days. Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. First Published: 1:00 PM PDT, May 19, 2022 Officials seized paraphernalia in South Carolina and Georgia, leading to 34 individuals facing charges. We need to bring awareness to this issue, that drug dealers are not dealing drugs anymore. On the other side are the avengers the scores of investigators and prosecutors that read like a whos who of South Carolina legal minds. 2022 Blaze Media LLC. 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. 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. ', Suspected burglar inside New Brunswick home was a panicked deer. 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. TikTok video from True Crime Stories (@truecrimestories215): "The 1981 South Carolina Drug Smuggling Bust In The Edisto River #truecrime #truecrimecommunity #truestory #truecrimetiktok #makingamurderer #AlexMurdaugh #trending #fyp". All theories are just as valid for the time being. Its incredible all the corruption and criminal activity that shes uncovered in the three years that shes been investigating the Murdaughs. Now Canadian cops have charged pastor with hate crime. All these kids have had other friends that have died, said Alsobrooks. 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. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. 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. 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 statement on theinvestigation revealed alleged connections to Mexican drug trafficking cartels operating in South Carolina and Georgia. Thanks to a corrupt jailer, Bob later escaped from a Charleston County jail and disappeared. A trusted neighbor is on top of a 20-foot ladder in . He said, Hi Bart, my names Christy Campbell, and Im here to turn myself in, says Bart. All Rights Reserved. While it was a more lucrative product, cocaine smugglers invariably toted automatic weapons. 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. 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. According to authorities, six of the . He has friends that have died. By FOX Carolina News Staff. Published: Dec. 10, 2021 at 4:07 PM PST. 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. 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 . When the hospital drug tested Paul the night of the boating accident, there were no drugs in his system. I could barely move my arms and legs without help.. 'This has been the most aggressive, high-tech, team-oriented operation in the history of South Carolina,' Daniel said. Operation Jackpot was also one of the first federal task forces to combine investigators from a variety of federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Customs, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs Patrol. Author: Holly Matkin. https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/local/hampton-county-guardian/2021/07/23/county-wide-operation-pentagon-nets-least-18-arrests-h-c/8075562002/. 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. 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. Arrests resulted in insignificant charges, if any, so the two did not feel they were doing anything really criminal. 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. He was as pleasant as can be.. 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. 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. 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.