CLICK HERE. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Here is the full video of the press conference . Bob Duncan said, 'It will be studied in law enforcement academies for many semesters on how this went so smoothly. SLED agent Robert Stewart and Bart Daniel also traveled to Australia while the case was being appealed. The Florida Police Benevolent Association (FPBA) also released a statement in the wake of the longtime sergeants death. 'This has been the most aggressive, high-tech, team-oriented operation in the history of South Carolina,' Daniel said. 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. 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. The post Hero Down: Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg Dies Unexpectedly appeared first on The Police Tribune. Im thinking serious cartel and/ or gang bosses who are higher up. Patty Roberts is not mincing her words when speaking on fentanyl. Those involved are allegedly in a drug ring associated with Mexican cartels, state officials 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. Both suspects were released from the Florence County Detention Center on April 2, 2022, on a $50,000 surety bond each. Attorney general Alan Wilson announced the indictments on Thursday. Lt. Robert Stewart became Chief of SLED, and Cam Currie became a U.S. District Court judge. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? Charges range from drug trafficking and weapons to burglary and kidnapping. After a drug bust in South Carolina, 34 people are facing charges, according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. 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. McGowan is accused. Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. Copyright 2022 WBTV. The Lowcountry paper only got part of the story, though . Two rules were sacrosanct: no guns and no smuggling cocaine. Some even volunteered to come along, enticed by the idea of cruising the Caribbean and returning on mattresses of marijuana bales. 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. Minnesota officer removes jar from raccoon's head. 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. He has friends that have died. CLICK HERE. RAPID CITY, S.D. Alleged drug traffickers in South Carolina used taco trucks to transport pounds of meth, cocaine and heroin, state prosecutors said Wednesday. Wild as it seems, the story is true. 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. 'In layman's terms, this is enough cocaine for . This was a year-long investigation that resulted in the arrests of six people. The trucks run by Mexican restaurant Los Primos. He was an assistant United States attorney at the time. 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 . Thanks to a corrupt jailer, Bob later escaped from a Charleston County jail and disappeared. Kingpin Les Riley, who grew up in Columbia and attended USC, had a Southern upbringing that included hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. The agents deserve all the credit, says Bart Daniel of the task force. Roberts says Adam thought he was taking Xanax for his anxiety but ended up with enough fentanyl in his system to kill four people. 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. He said the street value of the more than 1,000 kilos of methamphetamine seized by law enforcement is over $75 million. Related: Search warrant leads to seizure of more than 30 kilograms of fentanyl in York County. You didnt have any I love yous or goodbye or nothing. This is the second drug bust along I-95 in Nash County this week. Thank you for your service. It was just talked on Wednesday, see you later and there was no later, she said. 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. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. 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. 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. Last week, deputies seized over 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. 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. Hero Down: Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg Dies Unexpectedly. The investigation, asset seizures, defendant arrests, and trials were full of extraordinary tales and consumed the lives of task force members for four years. Officials say they tracked down . Both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. Purchase a new subscription and qualify for $100 of fine dining, theater tickets and MORE! . 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. Les and another defendant, Wally Butler, were found living in Australia and arrested on May 5, 1983. Wild as it seems, the story is true. Rest easy, hero. Many of the drugs were allegedly trafficked out of the restaurant, and also out of taco trucks owned by the restaurant, officials said. Ultimately, Operation Jackpot would indict four smuggling rings operating in South Carolina. According to investigators, the large drug operation trafficked in more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, or more than 2,200 pounds. Drug traffickers used a Mexican eatery and taco trucks to transport drugs around South Carolina, state prosecutors said Wednesday. 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.. WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) - The jury in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial has convicted the disbarred Lowcountry attorney of murdering his wife and son. That is certainly what it would seem like. Our hearts go out to Sergeant Kevin Forsbergs family, friends and colleagues at Broward Sheriffs Office where he served in the BSOs Homicide Unit, the FPBA said. Our hearts go out to Sergeant Kevin Forsbergs family, friends and colleagues at Broward Sheriffs Office where he served in the BSOs Homicide Unit. Investigators believe the alleged drug traffickers were responsible for moving more than 1,000 kilograms (more than one ton) of methamphetamine, 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cocaine, and 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of heroin in the state. His loved ones and his BSO family will forever carry on his legacy.. Especially, when it is quite literally close to home. 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. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg, both blood and blue. 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. Forsbergs family in the wake of their loss has raised more than $34,000 so far. First Published: 1:00 PM PDT, May 19, 2022 Officials seized paraphernalia in South Carolina and Georgia, leading to 34 individuals facing charges. They would of been BUSTED. At last, the High Court ruled that Americas kingpin statute was an extraditable offense in 40 nations of the former British Empire. After brief attempts at college, first at Newberry College and then at USC, Barry began selling marijuana in Five Points. 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 . That is apparently the maximum for the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl drug charges. 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. 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. We are forever indebted to his brave service and pray that he will Rest In Peace.. Charlestons famous restaurant, 82 Queen, was seized as well. An abandoned van full of sacks of Lebanese hashish was found following a raid on Edisto Island in November 1981. 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. Deputies seize more than 90 pounds of marijuana during drug bust at South Carolina home. 'We did not make any arrests of users or first-level distributors,' said Verinder. The cartel we believe is primarily involved in this is La Familia," Homeland Security Deputy Special Agent Mike Prado said. Yet our response to the opioid and fentanyl crisis is underwhelming, Tolson said. Les bought a home on Hilton Head, as well as other property, and used it for offloading his merchandise. 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. The case, dubbed "Los Banditos" by investigators, has to date resulted in the seizure of nearly 11 kilograms (24 pounds) of methamphetamine, 584 grams (1.3 pounds) of cocaine, approximately $63,000 in cash, and over 20 firearms in South Carolina, according to the attorney general. The upstate has become a hub," Wilson said at a press conference. Civil wars and ocean chases pound the heart of the thrill-seeker. He was joined at a news conference in Columbia by S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) chief Mark Keel and other authorities. According to a federal indictment, the defendants have been identified as Glenn Talley Jr., Leonard Gatling, Stephanie Amber Hawkins, Joe Kent Graham, Jermaine Louis . I thought my God thats just a mile from my house. Soldiers would sometimes even help load drugs onto the boats and then, once they were clear of land, fighting resumed. He walked in and stood in front of Barts desk. If there is a drug connection to Alex, he would definitely be the big fish in the region. One of President Reagans earliest actions, on recommendation of Sen. Strom Thurmond, was to appoint Henry McMaster as South Carolinas United States attorney. According to the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office, the owners of the Los Primos restaurant located in Greenville, South Carolina, allegedly ran and facilitated most of the drug trafficking. If its similar in Hampton county none of the people were major players instead addict selling to other addicts but who knows. Cartels dont play games. The adventurous will enjoy tales of exotic locales, fugitive escapades, and mountains of drugs and money. Drugs Worth Rs 1,500 Crore Destroyed In Delhi Over 8 Years, 154 Arrested. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? After a drug bust in South Carolina,. South Carolina. I highly suggest you watch Mandy Matneys Murdaugh Murders Podcast - especially those about Alexs possible connection to drugs smuggling along the east coast. These are low level dealers. As a true crime community, we promote civil discussions surrounding the alleged crimes of Alex Murdaugh and related entanglements. The attorney general's office said a "substantial portion" of the drugs seized in Atlanta were intended for South Carolina. according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. The McCoys were served with notice of the states intention to seek life without the possibility of parole at their bond hearings last week. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. A wall in the back of the room filled with pictures of young people in the same situation. pic.twitter.com/d7G9ESlzUY, Florida Police Benevolent Association (@FL_PBA) January 30, 2023. Thousands of grams of cocaine, and hundreds of grams of meth and marijuana were also found, along with four firearms. Bob Byers died in 2004. With each trip, Barry and Les learned more about the smuggling business. 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. 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 . 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. 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. 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). According to a news. The product was better and fetched a higher price. The longest sentence went to Lee Harvey, who received 40 years for drug smuggling, possession of machine guns and silencers, intimidation of a grand jury witness, and racketeering, among other charges. The last fugitive from Operation Jackpot was arrested in 2007. Barry Foy and Les were making so much money it was hard to figure out what to do with it all. Banned items included crack cocaine, knives, tobacco, guns, phones, and even candy. 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. Its much more organized, as seen in this case. March 3 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts library said a book was recently returned with a note apologizing for the tome being 56 years overdue. 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. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Mark Powellisanaward-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. What is the talk on the street? York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson gathered with some S.C. lawmakers Monday, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, to talk about the lack of laws to combat fentanyl in the state. Curiously, though, police did not immediately say what type of drug Jonathan Sears allegedly possessed/ intended to distribute. 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. This hit the drug smugglers smack in the purse strings. On the other side are the avengers the scores of investigators and prosecutors that read like a whos who of South Carolina legal minds. The sheriff added that 87 people have lost their lives to fentanyl so far in 2022. And yes, he has LOTS of hats (including the above-pictured Washington Senators lid). All Rights Reserved. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Barry was apprehended at the LaGuardia airport wearing a full-length mink coat. 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. Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Obviously this news outlet will keep close tabs on this investigation as it moves forward . Wilder still, the two main characters hail from Columbia, South Carolina. 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 . 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. In college at the University of South Carolina, Les was known to take his dates to the roof of. The two men were nicknamed "the Gentlemen Smugglers" given their standards and college education. [2], Last edited on 2 September 2022, at 16:19, "25 years later, 8,000 pounds of pot could get man 5 years", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Jackpot_(drug_investigation)&oldid=1108113124, This page was last edited on 2 September 2022, at 16:19. 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. 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. This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://bluelivesmatter.blue and its author. 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. 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. The investigation and prosecution is known as Operation Jackpot, which was chronicled in a book called Jackpot: High Times, High Seas, and the Sting That Launched the War on Drugs by Jason Ryan. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? Investigators say six defendants in Mexico are now living among Jalisco New Generation Cartel members and are sourcing drugs directly from the cartel. NYC Asking People to Give Bikes to Illegal Aliens! Sergeant Forsberg gave and dedicated everything he had to his family, friends, coworkers, and the community.. Christian K-8 school last year declared that 'we stand with the LGBTQIA+ community and believe in their holiness.' 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. Updated: Oct. 29, 2020 at 4:30 PM PDT. 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. 'They were headed for New York City and Miami.'. It is a drop in the bucket. 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. 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. South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. According to authorities, six of the . State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. Officials refused to identify the fifth Colombian arrested. As a member of the BSO Homicide Unit, Sgt. Barry flew to Jamaica to meet with suppliers, while Les and three others struggled to sail there in storms, high seas, and high winds. And hes just missed beyond words, she said. Both sides ceased fire when the smugglers boats arrived to pick up hashish because drug money paid for the war to go on. Im his mother what else would I say. 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. The task force, in concert with the U.S. Attorneys Office, worked to bring the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates to justice. For those who want the full story of this local legend. Agents also seized about $1 million in property, including the rented home, the yacht and five vehicles. 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 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. In the 1970s, the drug was widely used, and the publics attitude was apathetic. "When you look at the I-85 corridor from Charlotte to Atlanta, obviously its an artery for this type of illicit activity.. The. Unfortunately, Columbia police did not immediately respond to these inquiries and news of the arrests broke Sunday afternoon in The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier. He eagerly implemented it in South Carolina. Unbeknownst to his grandmother, Skip charged the smugglers a fee to offload their product there. 2023 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved. 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! You didnt have any last words. Theyre dealing death: York County, S.C. state leaders speak on fentanyl bust. 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. 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. 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. South Carolina. Piece by piece, the task force identified a web of drug smugglers, half of whom were South Carolina natives. [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. When I saw the address come up we knew people that used to live on that road. Among those arrested on drug-trafficking and conspiracy charges were three Hilton Head Island residents and five Colombians. And what about all the rumors you preach as gospel. 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. 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. Pinch the little fish to get info on the big fish. All rights reserved. CLICK HERE. Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. Also important were the right boats: some were made for blue water (long term, open sea) sailing; some were not. 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. Daniel said the cocaine could have been sold for about $100 million if processed into crack. 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. 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 . By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. British bus driver stops to give loose sheep a lift. Federal drug unit targets South Surrey home in bust spanning Lower Mainland. Possession of drug paraphernalia charge; $95,000 secure bond; . Barry and Les met in Key West where, in 1973, Barry persuaded Les that smuggling grass was much more lucrative than cutting it. David and fellow task force member Chuck Pittard were interviewing a friend of Barry Foys in Manhattan when Barry called her, saying he and his family were on their way to New York. The York County. The couple is also known as Rob and Lynn Greene. Overdue book returned to Massachusetts library after 56 years. Given their standards and their college educations, the two men were nicknamed the Gentlemen Smugglers.. 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. Theyre dealing death, Tolson said. Published: May. 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.