south carolina drug bust 2022
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 Privacy Policy. "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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. According to the attorney general, much of the drug trafficking was run and facilitated by the owners of the Los Primos restaurant located in Greenville, South Carolina. Drug trafficking and violence are not distant cousins," Wilson said. This is a great win for the citizens of Greenville County and these numerous arrests will have an immediate and direct impact upon the citizens of Greenville County and neighboring counties., In his remarks at the press conference, Wilkins added that the influx of drugs into the Upstate was at the highest level that Ive ever seen it., RELATED | S.C. Democrats: Cocaine Is A Helluva Drug. Ricky Lainer Gay, 48 years old, is currently in the Spartanburg County detention facility. Got a tip for a story? All rights reserved. Waters also echoed statements made by SLED chief Mark Keel about the dangers of illicit drug use in the current fentanyl-driven marketplace. WALHALLA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Oconee County Sheriffs Office said nine suspects were indicted by a State Grand Jury in the second phase of the ongoing Operation Rocket Fuel drug trafficking conspiracy investigation. These defendants received the following sentences: Copyright 2022 WMBF. Shonda Michelle Finch, 45 years old, is currently in the Department of Corrections. Its much more organized, as seen in this case. Were seeing people who are incarcerated continue their criminal ways behind bars," SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said.These co-conspirators would drive to Atlanta, Georgia, or other locations to pick up kilograms of methamphetamine, bring that methamphetamine to South Carolina, and distribute it in the Upstate, according to Wilson. Authorities said the organization had ties across the state line into North Carolina and one of its supply sources had direct ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Mexico. 18, 2022 at 10:15 AM PDT 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. GREENVILLE, S.C. . (York County Sheriff's Office). The investigation originated with good ol fashioned neighborhood crime detection, Waters said. Numerous law enforcement agencies have assisted in the Los Banditos operation including the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). They have 24/7 365 to think of ways to get it in," Stirling said. Seven people, including an inmate from the Tyger River Correctional Institute, are facing charges. 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. One of them was married to one of the cartel members," Wilson said. She is charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine over 400 grams. 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The men claimed to have been rescued by The Waterworld and Miss Kathy boats. (This) office and SLED are committed to fight the corrosive effect drug trafficking has on our communities, Wilson said in a statement. 43 people associated with Mexican drug cartels charged in South Carolina, AG says. Record fentanyl busts, migrant encounters plague southern border. Market data provided by Factset. Copyright 2022 WHNS. COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA David Ruger, 44, of Long Beach, California, was sentenced to more than 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA Marek Cortez Brewer, Jr., 24, of Columbia, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA Patricia Ann Hemphill, 51, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison after pleading guilty relating to a multi-state drug operation out of Main Office: 1 cause of death for American adults between the ages of 18 and 45 last year. They go hand and glove together. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. All rights reserved. In remarks at the press conference, Mike Prado resident agent in charge for DHS investigatory wing called the Los Banditos operation a major win not just for the agencies involved but for the people of South Carolina., Prado added the arrests connected to the sting were a significant blow to a transnational criminal organization.. 1 of 9. The attorney general's office said a "substantial portion" of the drugs seized in Atlanta were intended for 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. On March 9, 2022, deputies said that a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle that left Shonda Finchs house on Boot Hill Court in Spartanburg County. More than two dozen people were charged by a grand jury in connection with the bust. Investigators seized 11 kilograms of meth, 584 grams of cocaine, over 20 firearms and $63,000 in cash during the investigation. All rights reserved. These types of successful operations allow us to maintain a safe community. Sheriffs deputies said they executed a search warrant last week on Golden Pond Drive and another on Sherwood Circle. Says. The case was prosecuted by OCDETF Lead Task Force Attorney Everett McMillian, along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Hixson, who also serves as Deputy Solicitor for 15th Circuit Solicitors Office. 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. Solicitor Barnette said the issues stretch far beyond the Upstate. This investigation is yet another example of aggressive use of the state grand jury and investigative techniques to combat gangs and drug trafficking.. Wilkins said the amount of drugs flowing through upstate South Carolina is at the highest level he's ever seen. Or "king's ransom" waiting to be found South Carolina Attorney General Announces Major Mexican Cartel Bust, S.C. Democrats: Cocaine Is A Helluva Drug, South Carolinas New Election Reform Law Gags Election Commissioners, Voting Director, Record Pain At The Pump In South Carolina, Palmetto State Awash In Immigration Rumors, Fake Uber Trial: Ex-Girlfriend Of Accused Killer Testifies Against Him, Changes Her Story, Mark Powells Palmetto Past & Present: Lost Confederate Gold, Ron Paul: The Anti-War Movement Roars Back To Life, LIVE FEED Murdaugh Murders Trial: Day Twenty-Six. "We can identify that number," Stirling said. Shandon Paige Hammett, 34 years old, is currently in the Spartanburg County detention facility. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children. 18, 2022 at 8:54 AM PDT | Updated: May. York County, SC. Constantly updated. 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. While no deaths have been linked to this specific drug operation, Mondays press conference was attended by family members who have lost loved ones to fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than heroin. South Carolina partnered with Georgia and federal authorities to make the drug bust. 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. While this organization has ties from Mexico to numerous cities in the United States, its drug trafficking efforts and locations in Greenville County were continuing to pump poison directly into our communities. Lock State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. The crash . State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. $1.5M WORTH OF DRUGS SEIZED FROM VACANT SEATTLE APARTMENT. Fentanyl seized by York County Sheriff's deputies. "We can identify that number," Stirling said. We were the first state prison system to apply under this rule and months later, five vendors that have completed the vendor application process are still waiting on the FCC to approve the applications to provide this service, SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said. Theyre getting cell phones, electronic means to contact people outside. Let this case serve as an example to those introducing drugs in Horry County that this criminal activity will not be tolerated., With our continued support we continue to battle the drugs and make a big difference in our community. 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. Additionally, some of the defendants have been charged with various firearms offenses. He described the cartel as well-known and very violent organization. The organization was based in the Cedar Branch area of Horry County, and had ties across the state line into North Carolina. Wilson announced Thursday that the South Carolina State Grand Jury has issued indictments that contain 170 charges against 43 defendants. 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. Attorney General Wilson said that drugs in the southeast are typically trafficked across the southern border and sent to Atlanta, where they are then distributed to neighboring states. High Point man arrested during SWAT Team drug bust in home near school; police seize over 30 guns, trafficking amounts of drugs, around $50,000 . "We can identify where it's located in the prison yard, and then we can turn it over to the industry and within five days, they will turn it off. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. 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.Everyone in America would be safer if Congress would pass this legislation, Stirling said.Judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for twenty-three of the 32 defendants who were arrested. According to Creighton Waters (above) chief attorney of the statewide grand jury the Los Banditos investigation began in 2018. "Folks, if this was a bag full of terrorists, if this was anthrax, our response would be overwhelming," Young County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said. The owners of Los Primos on West Parker Road were trafficking drugs out of the restaurant and through taco trucks as well, investigators said. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Henderson County Sheriff's Office has arrested dozens of people after a drug bust involving six houses. Operation Broken Branch was a much-needed enforcement operation in a rural area of Horry County plagued by illegal narcotics sales.. Kilos of meth, cocaine and heroin were seized in the bust and 34 people are charged . He is charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine over 400 grams. 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. 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. The U.S. Department of Justice says 11 were charged by indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. People are sentenced to the Department of Corrections for long periods of time. Pictures: Fentanyl, meth, LSD, mushrooms, pot, 15 guns seized from South Carolina home. Thousands of kilos of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine were pumping into Greenville County.. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Huckabee is accused of leading the distribution ring of more than 5,200 grams of meth and nearly 100 grams of marijuana. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) An inmate is accused of operating a drug trafficking ring from behind bars in Spartanburg County. In May 20, the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office announced that 26 people had been indicted for their alleged participation in a drug trafficking conspiracy operation, known as Operation Rocket Fuel, which involved Heroin and Methamphetamine but also other illegal narcotics. Greenville:(864) 282-2100 These co-conspirators would drive to Atlanta, Georgia, or other locations to pick up kilograms of methamphetamine, bring that methamphetamine to South Carolina, and distribute it in the Upstate, according to Wilson. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The seizure ultimately led to multiple other arrests and the discovery of additional illegal drugs in and around Spartanburg County. 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.Wilson said that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with local law enforcement, began making arrests as part of this investigation on Tuesday. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Married to one of the statewide grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners the. Numerous law enforcement Division ( SLED ) opt-out of these cookies on your website Waters ( above ) chief of! Identify that number, '' Wilson said of more than 5,200 grams of meth, LSD, mushrooms,,! Cartels charged in South Carolina announced today that all 30 have pleaded guilty and been sentenced federal... In Greenville, S.C by a grand jury the Los Banditos operation including the S.C. State law enforcement agencies assisted... Kilos of meth, 584 south carolina drug bust 2022 of marijuana of leading the distribution of... 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south carolina drug bust 2022