Tom Rhoad received a 15-year sentence, Barry Foy got 18 years, and Les Riley was sentenced to 21 years. The trucks run by Mexican restaurant Los Primos. Les and another defendant, Wally Butler, were found living in Australia and arrested on May 5, 1983. When I saw the address come up we knew people that used to live on that road. On Wednesday, a Durham man was arrested after a chase hitting 120 mph and the "Gray Death" drug was found, deputies say. Now Canadian cops have charged pastor with hate crime. Defendant Michael Pardi allegedly fled last month. 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. Kentucky man stops for breakfast, wins $50,000 lottery prize. Published: May. Arrests resulted in insignificant charges, if any, so the two did not feel they were doing anything really criminal. The last fugitive from Operation Jackpot was arrested in 2007. 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. 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. FITSNews - One of the hottest rumors in Hampton county, | Facebook Email him at mark@fitsnews.com. Asheville Police arrest 4 on multiple drug charges - WHNS Politics. And what about all the rumors you preach as gospel. The case is referred to as "Prison Empire," one of the state's largest narcotics conspiracy investigations ever indicted. 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. Im thinking serious cartel and/ or gang bosses who are higher up. Consider it one of the more comic scenes in an $850 million drug-smuggling saga that rocked the South Carolina Lowcountry in the early 1980s. 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. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. Updated October 21, 2022 8:37 AM. McClellanvilles creeks were popular, too. 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. Within a short time, the men identified Barry as someone who recently used cash for a large land purchase. Those involved are allegedly in a drug ring associated with Mexican cartels, state officials said. 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. First Published: 1:00 PM PDT, May 19, 2022 Officials seized paraphernalia in South Carolina and Georgia, leading to 34 individuals facing charges. According to North Charleston authorities, Vernon Tyrell Willis, 26, has been arrested and charged with 13 counts of second-degree assault and battery. 'These are all upper-level or. Their synergy was really something.. 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. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. 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. 7-year-old baseball umpire seeks Guinness World Record. Henry immediately sought to attack drug smuggling at the highest levels of the trade. 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. They dont want you to see this Big Tech does its best to limit what news you see. Rest easy, hero. Both suspects were released from the Florence County Detention Center on April 2, 2022, on a $50,000 surety bond each. 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. Houses, land, boats, and prized cars all disappeared into government coffers, much to the consternation of the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates. His loved ones and his BSO family will forever carry on his legacy.. After college, Les moved to Key West and started a landscaping business, cutting grass for $5. Attorney general Alan Wilson announced the indictments on Thursday. 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. He was really fun to be with. 'Operation Jackpot' indicts 40 - UPI Archives 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. March 3 (UPI) -- A sheep spotted wandering loose on a British highway was given a lift back to its owner by a concerned bus driver on her first day on the job. In 1971, they asked Barry and another hotel guest to sail to Jamaica to bring back 400 pounds of marijuana. Plantation, FL Broward Sheriffs Office (BSO) Sergeant Kevin Forsberg died unexpectedly on Jan. 27. Georgia. 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 The co-conspirators also face multiple charges related to their role in the drug trafficking operation. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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 attorney general's office said a "substantial portion" of the drugs seized in Atlanta were intended for South Carolina. 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. 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. Federal charges tied to largest-ever York County fentanyl bust | Rock Politics. The two men were nicknamed the Gentlemen Smugglers given their standards and college education. South Carolina busts gangs flying contraband to prison by drone FBI Columbia: Nine indicted on drug trafficking charges He eagerly implemented it in South Carolina. Bob Byers got a 25-year sentence plus eight years for his escape. It was unprecedented for the agencies to share information, much less work together and out of the same office. Just like him being a CI . 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. 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/. Rounding up these folks could well get them talking about the big drug bosses. Barry and Les met in Key West where, in 1973, Barry persuaded Les that smuggling grass was much more lucrative than cutting it. 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.. Bigs,' arrived to collect the shipment. He was joined at a news conference in Columbia by S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) chief Mark Keel and other authorities. By FOX Carolina News Staff. 'We did not make any arrests of users or first-level distributors,' said Verinder. 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. Both sides ceased fire when the smugglers boats arrived to pick up hashish because drug money paid for the war to go on. I highly suggest you watch Mandy Matneys Murdaugh Murders Podcast - especially those about Alexs possible connection to drugs smuggling along the east coast. 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. They were arraigned late Wednesday in Charleston before U.S. District Judge Sol Blatt Jr. Possession of drug paraphernalia charge; $95,000 secure bond; . Bone-Breakers, crossbow . 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. Wild as it seems, the story is true. 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. Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. Bob Duncan said, 'It will be studied in law enforcement academies for many semesters on how this went so smoothly. Military Digest Charleston man saved. 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. Police in Costa Rica Seize 4.3 Tons of Cocaine, 2nd-Largest Drug Bust in Country's History, Month-Long Operation Ends in Huge California Drug Bust as $1.19 Billion in Marijuana Is Seized, Argentine Cops Bust Drug Ring Allegedly Using Fake World Cup Trophies to Smuggle Drugs, 26 Tons Of Cocaine Seized Offshore In Historic U.S. Drug Smuggling Bust. One of South Carolina's largest drug smuggling bust News, news, seriousness, tension(1077866) - Lyrebirds music. I dont believe there was a drug connection to the Murdaughs but it wouldnt surprise me if LE saw this as an opportunity to round up a bunch of local criminals (of varying levels of serious criminality) and see if anything shook loose in exchange for some leniency. South Carolina authorities seize enough fentanyl to kill 15 million Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/local/hampton-county-guardian/2021/07/23/county-wide-operation-pentagon-nets-least-18-arrests-h-c/8075562002/. Pinch the little fish to get info on the big fish. Pair nabbed with 6.5 kilos of cocaine in arrest along I-95 in Nash COLUMBIA, S.C. State prosecutors have charged 100 people in what they said Monday was the largest number of defendants ever indicted in one drug operation in South Carolina courts. 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. 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". Holly Alsobrooks son Cody is one of them. 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 . 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. They felt guns were unnecessary and, in fact, invited violence. Investigators have also seized 20 kilograms of meth, 5 kilos of heroin, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, and 82 firearms. SCDC Inmates Darrell Foster McCoy, Jr. a/k/a DJ and Matthew David McCoy have been involved in drug trafficking since 2011. Deputies say that the drug bust happened on Tuesday on Southers. RAPID CITY, S.D. according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. I live in a small ass county not in South Carolina Our local da parades around big drug bust like this once a year. All rights reserved. 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. An abandoned van full of sacks of Lebanese hashish was found following a raid on Edisto Island in November 1981. That was a good feeling seeing all those pills were off the street. The return trip home was worse, especially when they were fired upon when straying too close to Cuba. The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. Bookings are updated several times a day so check back often! And hes just missed beyond words, she said. Specifically, date rape druggings which are alleged to have occurred at Sears establishments. 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. 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? 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. More than 40 people have been charged in the Upstate of South Carolina as part of a drug-trafficking case known as "Las Seoritas," according to Attorney General Alan Wilson. As a member of the BSO Homicide Unit, Sgt. South Carolina: Cartel drug trafficking investigation This month the DEA made the biggest. 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. Its much more organized, as seen in this case. 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. The five Colombians in custody are Jorge Samuel Cruz, Luis F. Taboada-Garcia, Felipe Janer and Juan Carlos Perez. 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. But where are the principals in this drama now? The investigation and prosecution is known as Operation Jackpot, which was chronicled in a book called, Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. Patty Roberts is not mincing her words when speaking on fentanyl. 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. 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. District of South Carolina | Thirty Horry County Gang Members and Drug 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. We are forever indebted to his brave service and pray that he will Rest In Peace.. A wall in the back of the room filled with pictures of young people in the same situation. COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- Officials with the FBI Columbia field office and Columbia Violent Gang Task Force say nine individuals face drug trafficking charges. The York County. Click this link for the original source of this article. The cartel we believe is primarily involved in this is La Familia," Homeland Security Deputy Special Agent Mike Prado said. He said, Hi Bart, my names Christy Campbell, and Im here to turn myself in, says Bart. Minnesota officer removes jar from raccoon's head. Published: Dec. 10, 2021 at 4:07 PM PST. So both were allegedly dealing marijuana, right? CLICK HERE. With a heavy heart, we announce the untimely loss of a longtime employee, Sergeant Kevin Forsberg, who passed away on Friday, January 27, 2023, Sheriff Tony wrote. The 1981 South Carolina Drug Smuggling Bust In The Edisto River #truec In this article we take a look at the 18 biggest drug busts in US history. Wilder still, the two main characters hail from Columbia, South Carolina. On the other side are the avengers the scores of investigators and prosecutors that read like a whos who of South Carolina legal minds. We spent a lot of time together. 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. Paul and drugs are rumors . Both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. He was an assistant United States attorney at the time. Investigators alleged the drug operation was linked to a Mexican drug cartel. SCDNR never sought a warrant to compel the hospital to draw Pauls blood that night, but the hospital did anyway The doctor said that no drugs were found in Pauls system.. The thought immediately went through my mind that I wonder if they were responsible for his death, said Roberts. Others, including Barry and Les, were harder to bring in.