Published: May. South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. A 30-month long ordeal ensued as the Australian court wrestled with whether the two could be extradited on a drug kingpin charge. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. They stored it in monetary safe havens around the world but also spent it on homes, cars, and nice vacations. 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. Drug traffickers used a Mexican eatery and taco trucks to transport drugs around South Carolina, state prosecutors said Wednesday. 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. So both were allegedly dealing marijuana, right? Officials with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department said Javier Ayala has been charged . Bob Byers died in 2004. Those murders look very much like a drug hit and probably not a hit by some low down on the food chain drug users. Yet our response to the opioid and fentanyl crisis is underwhelming, Tolson said. Ultimately, Operation Jackpot would indict four smuggling rings operating in South Carolina. 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. Wilder still, the two main characters hail from Columbia, South Carolina. Pinch the little fish to get info on the big fish. After a drug bust in South Carolina, 34 people are facing charges, according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. Its much more organized, as seen in this case. Alleged drug traffickers in South Carolina used taco trucks to transport pounds of meth, cocaine and heroin, state prosecutors said Wednesday. 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. 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. Tom Rhoad died in March 2005 after suffering an aneurysm. Their synergy was really something.. 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. Id want to see the actual lab result before I believed it. However, it looks like a lot to us. pic.twitter.com/d7G9ESlzUY, Florida Police Benevolent Association (@FL_PBA) January 30, 2023. 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. The case is referred to as "Prison Empire," one of the state's largest narcotics conspiracy investigations ever indicted. 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. 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/. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. They felt guns were unnecessary and, in fact, invited violence. That is apparently the maximum for the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl drug charges. according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. As a member of the BSO Homicide Unit, Sgt. According to authorities, six of the . Hes an incredible person to me of course. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) - Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright announced Thursday charges for 53 suspects during their Operation Repeat Offender drug operation. The task force, in concert with the U.S. Attorneys Office, worked to bring the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates to justice. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. 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. It was just talked on Wednesday, see you later and there was no later, she said. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. Kingpin Les Riley, who grew up in Columbia and attended USC, had a Southern upbringing that included hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. Thanks to a corrupt jailer, Bob later escaped from a Charleston County jail and disappeared. Her son, Adam, fell victim to the drug. He spent his free time between classes his senior year burning up the road between Columbia and Key West, Florida, where he worked as a doorman. COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- Officials with the FBI Columbia field office and Columbia Violent Gang Task Force say nine individuals face drug trafficking charges. 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. He counted playwright Tennessee Williams as a client and musician Jimmy Buffett as a friend. J. Dubbed "Operation Pentagon," the investigation targeted the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine that has "plagued" the county, Smalls said. Agents also seized about $1 million in property, including the rented home, the yacht and five vehicles. 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 13 51 51 comments New Add a Comment Tardis301 1 min. Forsbergs death in a Facebook post several days later. He said, Hi Bart, my names Christy Campbell, and Im here to turn myself in, says Bart. Bob Byers got a 25-year sentence plus eight years for his escape. Bob Jendron retired after a long career as a federal prosecutor, while his former coworker, Bart Daniel, served as U.S. attorney from 1989-1992 and is now a partner in a Charleston law firm. That was a good feeling seeing all those pills were off the street. But where are the principals in this drama now? "When you look at the I-85 corridor from Charlotte to Atlanta, obviously its an artery for this type of illicit activity.. He was really fun to be with. The post Hero Down: Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg Dies Unexpectedly appeared first on The Police Tribune. Barry Foy and Les were making so much money it was hard to figure out what to do with it all. Got a tip for a story? Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children. 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. What is the talk on the street? And what about all the rumors you preach as gospel. According to a news. The Delhi Police on Wednesday destroyed over 2,800 kgs of . The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Both sides ceased fire when the smugglers boats arrived to pick up hashish because drug money paid for the war to go on. The trucks run by Mexican restaurant Los Primos. 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. 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. 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. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 10 biggest drug busts in U.S. history. Reflecting back, Governor McMaster says, It was virtually impossible to catch them in the act. We are forever indebted to his brave service and pray that he will Rest In Peace.. Judge Hawkins died in 2005, Dewey Greager in 2017, and Cam Littlejohn in 2018. 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. These losers may have been the only people left in the county who would hang out with Paul. The payday for smugglers was double that of marijuana. 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. As a true crime community, we promote civil discussions surrounding the alleged crimes of Alex Murdaugh and related entanglements. Cape Fear Bust: 20 arrests, 50 weapons, 10,000 grams of narcotics. 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 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. Charlestons famous restaurant, 82 Queen, was seized as well. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Now it's closing after donors sent school a big message. 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. Georgia. During the search, agents found suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, buprenorphine, and alprazolam along with digital scales and smoking pipes in the home and in Glover's purse in a car on the property. Within a short time, the men identified Barry as someone who recently used cash for a large land purchase. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. 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. And yes, he has LOTS of hats (including the above-pictured Washington Senators lid). 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. The investigation was dubbed Las Seoritas because several women among the main targets allegedly fled to Mexico to escape prosecution in the United States. Christian K-8 school last year declared that 'we stand with the LGBTQIA+ community and believe in their holiness.' Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Officials refused to identify the fifth Colombian arrested. The return trip home was worse, especially when they were fired upon when straying too close to Cuba. A man has been arrested for a major drug bust in Rutherford County, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. 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. Specifically, date rape druggings which are alleged to have occurred at Sears establishments. But, by pooling their collective expertise, they were an extraordinarily effective weapon against drug smuggling. National. He spent his free time his senior year burning up the road between Columbia and Key West, where he worked as a doorman and eventually met his partner in crime, Barry Foy, in 1973. According to the release, the investigation in total from both locations seized large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine including some mixed with fentanyl, marijuana, xanax, multiple firearms, and $63,000.