All rights reserved. 'In layman's terms, this is enough cocaine for . Two rules were sacrosanct: no guns and no smuggling cocaine. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? WTF? The next big adventure came through importing hashish from faraway locales like Lebanon and Singapore. I live in a small ass county not in South Carolina Our local da parades around big drug bust like this once a year. A man has been arrested for a major drug bust in Rutherford County, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. According to authorities, six of the . Methinks a killer(s) may be among those photos?! In time, the drug trade grew crowded in South Florida. 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. 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. 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. Georgia. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? The product was better and fetched a higher price. Among those arrested on drug-trafficking and conspiracy charges were three Hilton Head Island residents and five Colombians. Now, 13 years after the last Gentleman Smuggler was sentenced, they are all out of prison. Thousands of kilos of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine were pumping into Greenville County.. All rights reserved. National. Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. Civil wars and ocean chases pound the heart of the thrill-seeker. SLED agents began arresting suspects in the case on January 3, 2023 assisted by local law enforcement agencies. Bookings are updated several times a day so check back often! 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. Defendant Marcy Dawn Vickers allegedly fled in 2022. Houses, land, boats, and prized cars all disappeared into government coffers, much to the consternation of the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates. Drugs Worth Rs 1,500 Crore Destroyed In Delhi Over 8 Years, 154 Arrested. Copyright 2022 WBTV. 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. Unbeknownst to his grandmother, Skip charged the smugglers a fee to offload their product there. Overdue book returned to Massachusetts library after 56 years. He was as pleasant as can be.. 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. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! He walked in and stood in front of Barts desk. 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. The case is referred to as "Prison Empire," one of the state's largest narcotics conspiracy investigations ever indicted. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. 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. 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. I believe it was his girlfriend, Morgan Doughty, that said he used cocaine on multiple occasions during her sworn deposition. They dont want you to see this Big Tech does its best to limit what news you see. The verdict came in shortly before 7 p . Thanks to a corrupt jailer, Bob later escaped from a Charleston County jail and disappeared. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. He was a dedicated father, public servant and friend. After a drug bust in South Carolina, 34 people are facing charges, according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. RALEIGH, N.C. Federal authorities have arrested 21 people at the University of North Carolina, Duke University and Appalachian State University in connection with a "large drug network" bust . Bob Byers died in 2004. The return trip home was worse, especially when they were fired upon when straying too close to Cuba. I thought my God thats just a mile from my house. As with all cases, all the defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the criminal justice system, or until such times as each may wish to enter some form of allocution in connection with a plea agreement with prosecutors related to any of the charges that may be filed against them. The couple is also known as Rob and Lynn Greene. About 80 law enforcement officers descended on the home and made the arrests Wednesday without firing a shot, Verinder said. Henry and Assistant U.S. Attorney John McIntosh and Cam Littlejohn assisted the Australian prosecutors at the hearing. These are low level dealers. 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. Another tip came through phone numbers salvaged from a suspected drug boat scuttled in the Edisto River. 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 devastating blow to the task force. Les and Barry considered marijuana a nearly legal product. Those involved are allegedly in a drug ring associated with Mexican cartels, state officials said. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? 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. He said, Hi Bart, my names Christy Campbell, and Im here to turn myself in, says Bart. 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? He said the street value of the more than 1,000 kilos of methamphetamine seized by law enforcement is over $75 million. "A well-known, very violent cartel thats operated for many years in Mexico.. Got a tip for a story? The Florida Police Benevolent Association (FPBA) also released a statement in the wake of the longtime sergeants death. The two men were nicknamed "the Gentlemen Smugglers" given their standards and college education. 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 . When I saw the address come up we knew people that used to live on that road. Purchase a new subscription and qualify for $100 of fine dining, theater tickets and MORE! Holly Alsobrooks son Cody is one of them. 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. And what about all the rumors you preach as gospel. 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. Carolina Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson dies at . 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. 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. 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. Florida woman runs ultra-marathon distances for 23 consecutive days. With that, Barrys career as a drug smuggler launched, and he enjoyed legendary status among Columbias marijuana enthusiasts. Ten other defendants are currently in prison. A trusted neighbor is on top of a 20-foot ladder in . 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. This was a year-long investigation that resulted in the arrests of six people. 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. 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 . Barry was apprehended at the LaGuardia airport wearing a full-length mink coat. Kentucky man stops for breakfast, wins $50,000 lottery prize. Ultimately, Operation Jackpot would indict four smuggling rings operating in South Carolina. What is the talk on the street? Still, it was more than they could spend. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Nine people are facing federal charges after a major drug bust in the Hollywood area of southern Charleston County. 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. Its much more organized, as seen in this case. 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. This month the DEA made the biggest. Officials say they tracked down . 8,333 people were booked in the last 30 days (Order: Booking Date ) First Prev Later, he moved into a Hollywood, Florida, beachside hotel frequented by men who participated in, among other activities, drug dealing. 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. This would totally explain why LE is keeping such a tight, tight lid on everything. The trucks run by Mexican restaurant Los Primos. 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. Tom Rhoad died in March 2005 after suffering an aneurysm. Finally, having an accessible and secluded place to offload was vital. Yet our response to the opioid and fentanyl crisis is underwhelming, Tolson said. Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony announced Sgt. Les and Barry enjoy a ride on a fishing boat with Barry displaying a bag of pot. 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. In January 1981, Ronald Reagan became president and promoted a stiff policy on drugs. North Carolina. You didnt have any I love yous or goodbye or nothing. Tolson said the amount of fentanyl recovered in the bust was enough to kill every person in York County. 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! And yes, he has LOTS of hats (including the above-pictured Washington Senators lid). 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. Hes an incredible person to me of course. South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to life in prison without parole Friday, a day after he was convicted of murder in the shooting deaths of his wife and son. 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 reportedly were part of a drug trafficking organization that operating in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, and Oconee Counties. 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. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Surrey couple plans to pay off mortgage after winning $500,000. 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. This is absolutely the pill of death, said Patty Roberts, a mother who lost her son to a fentanyl death. Among the chief targets of Operation Jackpot were South Carolina marijuana kingpins Barry Foy, from Billinge and Les Riley, who stood accused of smuggling 347,000 pounds of marijuana and 130,000 pounds of hashish into the United States. 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. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 10 biggest drug busts in U.S. history. 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. 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. 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. Dubbed "Operation Pentagon," the investigation targeted the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine that has "plagued" the county, Smalls said. Barry Toombs and at least five other fugitives holed up in Costa Rica were eventually extradited in February 1983. Those murders look very much like a drug hit and probably not a hit by some low down on the food chain drug users. The 53-year-old sergeants exact cause of death was not released. 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.. Officials refused to identify the fifth Colombian arrested. Minnesota officer removes jar from raccoon's head. [1] Known as the 'gentlemen smugglers' because of their college educations and aversion to violence, Foy, Riley and their associates regularly sailed drug-laden boats from Jamaica, Colombia and Lebanon through the marshes of the Eastern Seaboard. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. According to a federal indictment, the defendants have been identified as Glenn Talley Jr., Leonard Gatling, Stephanie Amber Hawkins, Joe Kent Graham, Jermaine Louis . Drug traffickers used a Mexican eatery and taco trucks to transport drugs around South Carolina, state prosecutors said Wednesday. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu. At Henry and Brians suggestion, the two began following the money. 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. March 3 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts library said a book was recently returned with a note apologizing for the tome being 56 years overdue. In this article we take a look at the 18 biggest drug busts in US history. According to my law enforcement sources, this ongoing investigation has less to do with marijuana a drug which most people in the Palmetto State (including me) believe should be legalized and more to do with a rash of recent date rape druggings that allegedly occurred in the Five Points region of Columbia. The statement on theinvestigation revealed alleged connections to Mexican drug trafficking cartels operating in South Carolina and Georgia. Investigators say six defendants in Mexico are now living among Jalisco New Generation Cartel members and are sourcing drugs directly from the cartel. 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. S.C. circuit court judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for 23 of the 32 defendants. 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. The York County. Also Hampton county had 388 overdoses and 15 deaths in one year that seems really high for a county of 19,000 people. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. 2023 Blaze Media LLC. He was joined at a news conference in Columbia by S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) chief Mark Keel and other authorities. Just like him being a CI . Wilson announced. Thousands of grams of cocaine, and hundreds of grams of meth and marijuana were also found, along with four firearms. 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. Investigators have also seized 20 kilograms of meth, 5 kilos of heroin, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, and 82 firearms. The co-conspirators also face multiple charges related to their role in the drug trafficking operation. If its similar in Hampton county none of the people were major players instead addict selling to other addicts but who knows. Both suspects were released from the Florence County Detention Center on April 2, 2022, on a $50,000 surety bond each. McGowan is accused. 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. 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. Judge Hawkins died in 2005, Dewey Greager in 2017, and Cam Littlejohn in 2018. Now Canadian cops have charged pastor with hate crime. SCDC Inmates Darrell Foster McCoy, Jr. a/k/a DJ and Matthew David McCoy have been involved in drug trafficking since 2011. CLICK HERE. You didnt have any last words. But these moms believe getting some of the big fish off the street could save the lives of many. Last week, deputies seized over 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) - Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright announced Thursday charges for 53 suspects during their Operation Repeat Offender drug operation. COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- Officials with the FBI Columbia field office and Columbia Violent Gang Task Force say nine individuals face drug trafficking charges. Attorney General Alan Wilson said a joint investigation in the Upstate called "Los Banditos" alleges much of the drug trafficking was run and . As a true crime community, we promote civil discussions surrounding the alleged crimes of Alex Murdaugh and related entanglements. 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. The task force, in concert with the U.S. Attorneys Office, worked to bring the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates to justice. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. The smugglers also borrowed plantations along the coast owned by rich Northerners who rarely visited. 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. 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. J. All Rights Reserved. According to investigators, the large drug operation trafficked in more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, or more than 2,200 pounds. A normal hashish load had a street value of $90 million. When the hospital drug tested Paul the night of the boating accident, there were no drugs in his system. 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. They stored it in monetary safe havens around the world but also spent it on homes, cars, and nice vacations. This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://bluelivesmatter.blue and its author. NYC Asking People to Give Bikes to Illegal Aliens! 'We smashed an international drug smuggling operation,' said Frederick B. Verinder, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation. Bigs,' arrived to collect the shipment. Taylor Lynnette Glover (Lancaster County Sheriff's Office) 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. Large drug bust in Hampton County (for those of you who believe drugs played a role in the murders). Got a tip for a story?
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