We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. 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. S.C. circuit court judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for 23 of the 32 defendants. By working with our partners at SLED and local agencies, were able to investigate and prosecute complex trafficking conspiracies like this one and defend the rule of law.. They were arraigned late Wednesday in Charleston before U.S. District Judge Sol Blatt Jr. We spent a lot of time together. Thousands of kilos of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine were pumping into Greenville County.. About 80 law enforcement officers descended on the home and made the arrests Wednesday without firing a shot, Verinder said. 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. 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 is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. An abandoned van full of sacks of Lebanese hashish was found following a raid on Edisto Island in November 1981. A wall in the back of the room filled with pictures of young people in the same situation. 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. SLED agents began arresting suspects in the case on January 3, 2023 assisted by local law enforcement agencies. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA Less than twenty months after 30 Horry County and Myrtle Beach-area drug traffickers were indicted based on a federal wiretap investigation into narcotics and violence, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina announced today that all 30 have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in federal court. March 3 (UPI) -- A New Brunswick couple who initially thought a burglar had broken into their home discovered the invader was actually a panicked deer. 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. 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. 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. A fundraising campaign established to help Sgt. 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. 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. Lt. Robert Stewart became Chief of SLED, and Cam Currie became a U.S. District Court judge. 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. First Published: 1:00 PM PDT, May 19, 2022 Officials seized paraphernalia in South Carolina and Georgia, leading to 34 individuals facing charges. https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/local/hampton-county-guardian/2021/07/23/county-wide-operation-pentagon-nets-least-18-arrests-h-c/8075562002/. The story is utterly fantastic, with a list of villains so long one has trouble keeping up with them all. But, by pooling their collective expertise, they were an extraordinarily effective weapon against drug smuggling. 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. YORK COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) - The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. The two men were nicknamed "the Gentlemen Smugglers" given their standards and college education. Bob Byers died in 2004. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. SLED agent Robert Stewart and Bart Daniel also traveled to Australia while the case was being appealed. 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. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) - Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright announced Thursday charges for 53 suspects during their Operation Repeat Offender drug operation. Drug traffickers used a Mexican eatery and taco trucks to transport drugs around South Carolina, state prosecutors said Wednesday. 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. Kentucky man stops for breakfast, wins $50,000 lottery prize. This is absolutely the pill of death, said Patty Roberts, a mother who lost her son to a fentanyl death. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Medical Marijuana bill passes NC Senate; some cannabis supporters against bill, Re-using the cheater beans from breakfast for dinner with Chef Elizabeth, Product Test: Elissia and Caroline try out bundt cake pan with removable bottom, The Best of Charlotte Bridal Show at Camp North End on March 19th, Licensed counselor Felice Hightower talks impact of Social Media Algorithms, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Ultimately, Operation Jackpot would indict four smuggling rings operating in South Carolina. According to a federal indictment, the defendants have been identified as Glenn Talley Jr., Leonard Gatling, Stephanie Amber Hawkins, Joe Kent Graham, Jermaine Louis . On the other side are the avengers the scores of investigators and prosecutors that read like a whos who of South Carolina legal minds. They would of been BUSTED. If you engage in this illicit type of activity, drug trafficking, youre going to eventually get busted and were going to put you away, Wilson said. We decided to figure out who they were and catch them at home. With this new approach, the task force leveled the playing field. Among those arrested on drug-trafficking and conspiracy charges were three Hilton Head Island residents and five Colombians. The next big adventure came through importing hashish from faraway locales like Lebanon and Singapore. Les bought a home on Hilton Head, as well as other property, and used it for offloading his merchandise. Jonathan Sears who owns or co-owns a lengthy list of Columbia establishments including The Bird Dog, The Cotton Gin, The Gourmet Shop, Hendrix, Jakes Bar and Pavlovs was arrested along with his relative, Geoffrey Sears, on Blossom Street last Thursday by officers of the Columbia, S.C. police department (CPD). All theories are just as valid for the time being. Bigs,' arrived to collect the shipment. Firefighters hoist horse stranded in backyard swimming pool. Law enforcement says the people arrested for this crime will face 15 years in prison. After college, Les moved to Key West and started a landscaping business, cutting grass for $5. 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. Wilkins said the amount of drugs flowing through upstate South Carolina is at the highest level he's ever seen. This hit the drug smugglers smack in the purse strings. Theyre dealing death: York County, S.C. state leaders speak on fentanyl bust. Banned items included crack cocaine, knives, tobacco, guns, phones, and even candy. The verdict came in shortly before 7 p . |, 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. 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. Deputies seize more than 90 pounds of marijuana during drug bust at South Carolina home. According to a news. Taylor Lynnette Glover (Lancaster County Sheriff's Office) For those who want the full story of this local legend. A 30-month long ordeal ensued as the Australian court wrestled with whether the two could be extradited on a drug kingpin charge. York County and South Carolina leaders say current state and federal laws are not strict enough to keep fentanyl off South Carolina streets so there need to be sweeping changes. Politics. 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. Les Riley lives on Seabrook Island. 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. That was a good feeling seeing all those pills were off the street. Both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. pic.twitter.com/d7G9ESlzUY, Florida Police Benevolent Association (@FL_PBA) January 30, 2023. No way drug dealers did this imo . 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. . 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. 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. 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. 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/. New live-action 'Peter Pan' trailer shocks with major character changes, Jane Fonda Suggests She Was Set Up During Fox Interview, The Biden Administration is Just Insane & Should Be Removed At Once. Illegal drugs,. NYC Asking People to Give Bikes to Illegal Aliens! The Hilton Head Island residents were identified as David A. Childs Jr., 38, and Lynn G. Paul, 40. Also, these arrests are reportedly just the beginning of a much broader investigation . 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. You didnt have any I love yous or goodbye or nothing. Charlestons famous restaurant, 82 Queen, was seized as well. Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. All Rights Reserved. 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. It was a devastating blow to the task force. 7-year-old baseball umpire seeks Guinness World Record. Has anyone heard anything? March 3 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts library said a book was recently returned with a note apologizing for the tome being 56 years overdue. Dubbed "Operation Pentagon," the investigation targeted the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine that has "plagued" the county, Smalls said. 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. I believe the drug smuggling is discussed in Podcast Episodes 31 and 32. They learned they could make more money if they obtained their product from Colombia rather than Jamaica. He was joined at a news conference in Columbia by S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) chief Mark Keel and other authorities. These losers may have been the only people left in the county who would hang out with Paul. They felt guns were unnecessary and, in fact, invited violence. 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. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- A yacht loaded with 1,100 pounds of cocaine was seized by federal agents on luxurious Hilton Head Island in a raid that federal officials said Thursday smashed an international drug smuggling ring. Barry Toombs and at least five other fugitives holed up in Costa Rica were eventually extradited in February 1983. The Florida Police Benevolent Association (FPBA) also released a statement in the wake of the longtime sergeants death. For those who want the full story of this local legend, Jackpot is a something-for-everyone kind of tale. Both suspects were released from the Florence County Detention Center on April 2, 2022, on a $50,000 surety bond each. 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.. Investigators alleged the drug operation was linked to a Mexican drug cartel. 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. That is apparently the maximum for the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl drug charges. According to North Charleston authorities, Vernon Tyrell Willis, 26, has been arrested and charged with 13 counts of second-degree assault and battery. Click this link for the original source of this article. Mark Powellisanaward-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. Sergeant Forsberg gave and dedicated everything he had to his family, friends, coworkers, and the community.. Both sides ceased fire when the smugglers boats arrived to pick up hashish because drug money paid for the war to go on. Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. March 2 (UPI) -- A Florida woman earned a Guinness World Record when she completed 23 ultra-marathon runs -- 31.1 miles -- in a 23-day period. 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. Les and another defendant, Wally Butler, were found living in Australia and arrested on May 5, 1983. ", Woman wins $100,000 lottery prize 11 hours after $11,000 casino jackpot. Later, he moved into a Hollywood, Florida, beachside hotel frequented by men who participated in, among other activities, drug dealing. You didnt have any last words. Possession of drug paraphernalia charge; $95,000 secure bond; . He has friends that have died. 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. Civil wars and ocean chases pound the heart of the thrill-seeker. South Carolina. If there is a drug connection to Alex, he would definitely be the big fish in the region. This month the DEA made the biggest. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. 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. In college at the University of South Carolina, Les was known to take his dates to the roof of Cornell Arms to smoke marijuana and enjoy the sunset. The upstate has become a hub," Wilson said at a press conference. 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. And yes, he has LOTS of hats (including the above-pictured Washington Senators lid). Our hearts go out to Sergeant Kevin Forsbergs family, friends and colleagues at Broward Sheriffs Office where he served in the BSOs Homicide Unit. 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. Given their standards and their college educations, the two men were nicknamed the Gentlemen Smugglers.. 'They were headed for New York City and Miami.'. 2022 Blaze Media LLC. Henry immediately sought to attack drug smuggling at the highest levels of the trade. In 1971, they asked Barry and another hotel guest to sail to Jamaica to bring back 400 pounds of marijuana. 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. 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. At Henry and Brians suggestion, the two began following the money. North Carolina. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The Lowcountry paper only got part of the story, though . We are forever indebted to his brave service and pray that he will Rest In Peace. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? But these moms believe getting some of the big fish off the street could save the lives of many. We are forever indebted to his brave service and pray that he will Rest In Peace.. COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- Officials with the FBI Columbia field office and Columbia Violent Gang Task Force say nine individuals face drug trafficking charges. They reportedly were part of a drug trafficking organization that operating in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, and Oconee Counties. Bone-Breakers, crossbow . Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Attorney General Alan Wilson said a joint investigation in the Upstate called "Los Banditos" alleges much of the drug trafficking was run and . 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. A man has been arrested for a major drug bust in Rutherford County, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. Officials refused to identify the fifth Colombian arrested. Also important were the right boats: some were made for blue water (long term, open sea) sailing; some were not. Investigators have also seized 20 kilograms of meth, 5 kilos of heroin, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, and 82 firearms. LEXINGTON, S.C. (WIS) - A more than two-year investigation landed 17 people in federal custody as authorities busted a drug trafficking ring in the Midlands. This is the second drug bust along I-95 in Nash County this week. The property had a deep water dock. Email him at mark@fitsnews.com. So they are applauding the work, knowing much more work needs done. This major drug trafficking ring was anything but unbelievable, said Solicitor Walt Wilkins. Listen online or download the iHeart App. Barry Foy followed his prison time with a career in real estate and construction. ', Suspected burglar inside New Brunswick home was a panicked deer. 'F****** AMATEUR HOUR': Furious Democrats lash out at Biden for announcement on radical DC crime law, Gun-toting road-rage motorist shot dead after armed man warns him to stop approaching him and his wife; cops say it looks like self-defense, Railroad union: Workers getting sick at site of Norfolk Southern's catastrophic hazmat spill in East Palestine, Teen bragged in rap song about killing another rapper, sheriff says, but cried 'like a baby that lost his pacifier' when charged with murder, Florida man allegedly told roommate, 'Im going to go over there and kill them all' before murdering his daughter and 3 others, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Yet our response to the opioid and fentanyl crisis is underwhelming, Tolson said. Published: May. Updated: Oct. 29, 2020 at 4:30 PM PDT. 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.
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