Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. In May 20, the South Carolina Attorney General's Office announced that 26 people had been indicted for their alleged participation in a drug trafficking conspiracy operation, known as. South Carolina partnered with Georgia and federal authorities to make the drug bust. Wilson said the Seoritas would allegedly coordinate with SCDC inmates via contraband cell phones to have drugs, primarily methamphetamine, delivered to co-conspirators in the South Carolina Upstate. Copyright 2022 WHNS. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. The men claimed to have been rescued by The Waterworld and Miss Kathy boats. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more. When Russia invaded Ukraine, a phalanx of Western companies pledged to get out fast from what had once been an Byron Allen is the latest media heavyweight to speak out against the growing scourge of antisemitism in America. 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, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. An assortment of other illicit narcotics were discovered at an additional address, including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and mushrooms, authorities said. Sixteen people were charged Friday in a major drug trafficking organization that operated out of Lancaster County, South Carolina, McCoy said. BELTON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Anderson County Sheriff's Office said arrested a man after finding a large amount of drugs and multiple guns at his . $3.9Million South Carolina drug bust: On February 24, 2022, the Narcotics Unit of Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office received information that a quantity of narcotics was being shipped into. These defendants are allegedly living among Jalisco New Generation Cartel members and sourcing drugs directly from the Cartel. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Greenville County Sheriffs Office announced multiple drugs and guns were seized after a multi-jurisdictional investigation. The Sheriffs Office said over the past year and a-half, deputies continued their ongoing investigation of individuals who are trafficking large quantities of meth and heroin into Oconee County, as well as the distribution of controlled substances, including fentanyl and carfentanil. 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. Attorneys Office for the District of South Carolina announced today that all 30 have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in federal court. According to deputies, seven of the nine suspects in phase two were taken into custody and transported to jail in Richland County. While South Carolina has long lobbied Congress to pass the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act, which would allow state prison systems to jam cellphone signals, the act has never received a hearing. She is charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine over 400 grams. PHOTOS: Kilos of drugs seized from Greenville restaurant allegedly trafficking for cartel, Murdaugh defense to make closing arguments at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Murdaugh Trial, Day 26: Testimony gets heated during states rebuttal, Attorney Jack Swerling Discusses Closing Arguments in Murdaugh Trial, High School in Rutherford Co. responds to reported threat, Veterans Museum of The Carolinas Launches Lecture Series, Upstate Mom Turns Grief Into Action After Son's Death From Hazing, Missing man found dead in Madison Co. following extensive search, Greenville restaurant used food trucks to traffic drugs for cartels, AG says, kelli.radcliff@foxcarolina.com - 864-213-2103. The names of those individuals are as follows: The Oconee County Sheriffs Office said they are still searching for the following two suspects: MORE NEWS: Judge to hear pending motions in Murdaugh case Friday. All rights reserved. Samantha Nicole Bishop, 40 years old, is currently in the Spartanburg County detention facility. This case illustrates the results that are possible when federal, state, and local agencies work together toward a common goal.. Each of the defendants pleaded guilty to one of two indictments that collectively contained 72 counts of violations of federal law ranging from drug conspiracy and firearms violations to using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking. Constantly updated. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Investigators say Los Primos, a Mexican restaurant in Greenville, SC, was trafficking drugs for cartels. Americas Next Great Speedskater Is Coming for the Dutch, Kellyanne Conway Cluelessly Trolls Fox News Live on Air, Man arrested after explosive device found in luggage at Pennsylvania airport. Columbia, SC 29201, Columbia:(803) 929-3000 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Investigators alleged the drug operation was linked to a Mexican drug cartel. So far, the Los Banditos operation has seized 11 kilograms of methamphetamine, 584 grams of cocaine, approximately $63,000 in cash, and over 20 firearms in South Carolina. "Wilson said between Feb. 1, 2021, and Dec. 14, 2022, law enforcement seized over 25 kilograms of methamphetamine (street value of approximately $800,000.00) and 30 guns as part of this investigation.SCDC Inmates Darrell Foster McCoy Jr. a/k/a DJ, and Matthew David McCoy have been involved in drug trafficking since 2011, Wilson said. The cooperation with our Upstate partners both local and federal was particularly successful in this case, and this office looks forward to continuing to synch its efforts with the hard work and expertise of all the agencies involved. They have 24/7 365 to think of ways to get it in," Stirling said. The McCoys were served with Notice of the States Intention to Seek Sentencing of Life Without the Possibility of Parole at their bond hearings last week. I want to thank our law enforcement partners who all played a vital role in bringing this case to a successful closure. These cookies do not store any personal information. Will we know who won the $747M Powerball jackpot? The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of South Carolina announced on Monday that 30 Horry County and Myrtle Beach area gang members and drug trafficking associates have been sentenced in federal court. He says they have a system at one state prison that would allow them to do this. "When you look at the I-85 corridor from Charlotte to Atlanta, obviously its an artery for this type of illicit activity.. Theyre conducting drug deals, drug business just like normal.. Fentanyl seized by York County Sheriff's deputies. Search arrest records and find latests mugshots and bookings for Misdemeanors and Felonies. Waters also echoed statements made by SLED chief Mark Keel about the dangers of illicit drug use in the current fentanyl-driven marketplace. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Stirling says federal prisons are allowed to do so, but states are not.Stirling says this would allow them to track the cellphones inside the prisons and shut them off. 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. I urge the commission to act quickly so we can stop this stop this criminal activity from being orchestrated from behind our nations state prison walls.. I want to extend my deepest appreciation to all the different agencies, investigators, prosecutors, and everyone behind the scenes who have helped in this case.. Deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Division say one man now faces a lengthy list of charges after a drug trafficking bust. Were seeing people who are incarcerated continue their criminal ways behind bars," SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The following people have been arrested and charged in connection to the case: Kenneth Lee Huckabee, 41 years old, is currently in the Department of Corrections. The investigation focused on a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, and Oconee counties. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? All rights reserved. "Theyre twin siblings. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. During the traffic stop, deputies said 2,004.8 grams of methamphetamine was seized. The long list of agencies who worked together for this case is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to keeping our community safe., 15th Circuit Solicitors Office, Drug Enforcement Unit Commander Dean Bishop, This demonstrates how the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office Drug Enforcement Unit, along with our partners, will serve our communities by focusing on violent drug traffickers., Coastal Carolina University Police Department Chief David Roper, Due to the complex nature of large-scale drug operations, it is imperative that law enforcement agencies work together to combat such organizations. Theyre getting cell phones, electronic means to contact people outside. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) A massive investigation into gang members and drug traffickers in Horry County helped to dismantle a violent criminal enterprise, according to federal authorities. Deputies said the drug trafficking ring was coordinated by Kenneth Huckabee who was already behind bars for other crimes, including a 30-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter and aggravated nature in the killing of Jerry Bridwell. Operation Broken Branch was a much-needed enforcement operation in a rural area of Horry County plagued by illegal narcotics sales.. SCDC Inmates Darrell Foster McCoy Jr. a/k/a DJ, and Matthew David McCoy have been involved in drug trafficking since 2011, Wilson said. Published: Nov. 15, 2022 at 8:29 AM PST GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Greenville County Sheriff's Office announced multiple drugs and guns were seized after a multi-jurisdictional. The attorney general's office said a "substantial portion" of the drugs seized in Atlanta were intended for South Carolina. Legal Statement. Its been a problem throughout the state of South Carolina. Court filings show the Cedar Branch drug trafficking organization was an interstate conspiracy that distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, meth and firearms. Investigators seized 11 kilograms of meth, 584 grams of cocaine, over 20 firearms and $63,000 in cash during the investigation. Published: May. This operation dismantled a violent criminal enterprise, put its members behind bars, and made communities in South Carolina safer, said U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis. 1 cause of death for American adults between the ages of 18 and 45 last year. Leave Russia? Shandon Paige Hammett, 34 years old, is currently in the Spartanburg County detention facility. Chelsie Marie Anderson, Jennifer Nicole Burns, and Amy Deanna Cobb a/k/a Emma, allegedly fled to Mexico in late 2018-2020, Wilson said. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Thousands of kilos of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine were pumping into Greenville County.. The arrests and indictments were part of Operation Broken Branch, which targeted violent crime in the Cedar Branch area near Loris. The South Carolina Attorney Generals Office released photos of drugs, weapons and cash seized amid the investigation. Were seeing it here in Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties in our circuit, said Barnette. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. The wiretap investigation was quarterbacked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in concert with the other agencies, who offered comments on the successful operation: FBI Special Agent in Charge Susan Ferensic, This latest sentencing signifies the end of this drug organization. "They were working with inmates currently residing in the Department of Corrections who were able to, through command and control and the use of cellphones, support and facilitate this drug trafficking ring. Wilson said the Seoritas would allegedly coordinate with SCDC inmates via contraband cell phones to have drugs, primarily methamphetamine, delivered to co-conspirators in the South Carolina Upstate. 2023 Blaze Media LLC. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. Was seized as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina announced today that all 30 have guilty. 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