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. Hero Down: Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg Dies Unexpectedly. 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. The 53-year-old sergeants exact cause of death was not released. 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 association was arrested along with a relative last week on multiple drug charges. 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. 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. And hes just missed beyond words, she said. Similarly, this is why they chose not to traffic cocaine. The verdict came in shortly before 7 p . He said, Hi Bart, my names Christy Campbell, and Im here to turn myself in, says Bart. Im thinking serious cartel and/ or gang bosses who are higher up. This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://bluelivesmatter.blue and its author. So both were allegedly dealing marijuana, right? Bob Byers got a 25-year sentence plus eight years for his escape. 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. SEE IT: Bidens message to Zelenskyy written in Ukraine Royal Palace guest book, Twitter 2023 USSA News, The Tea Party's Front Page. 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 . The product was better and fetched a higher price. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. He eagerly implemented it in South Carolina. Defendant Kelli Edwards allegedly fled in October 2022. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District N.C. Michael Easley announces at the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office the arrest of 20 . 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. Folks, if this was a bag full of terrorists, if this was anthrax, our response would be overwhelming. In the 1970s, the drug was widely used, and the publics attitude was apathetic. Eight people suspected of importing the drug from Colombia and distributing it throughout the East Coast were arrested as they arrived at a Sea Pines Plantation Home to pick up the cocaine. The investigation, asset seizures, defendant arrests, and trials were full of extraordinary tales and consumed the lives of task force members for four years. The investigation was dubbed Las Seoritas because several women among the main targets allegedly fled to Mexico to escape prosecution in the United States. Published: Dec. 10, 2021 at 4:07 PM PST. Click this link for the original source of this article. One of South Carolina's largest drug smuggling bust News, news, seriousness, tension(1077866) - Lyrebirds music. Firefighters hoist horse stranded in backyard swimming pool. 9 arrested after drug bust in Greenwood County, deputies say. 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. 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. WTF? Many of the drugs were allegedly trafficked out of the restaurant, and also out of taco trucks owned by the restaurant, officials said. This hit the drug smugglers smack in the purse strings. Now Canadian cops have charged pastor with hate crime. After a drug bust in South Carolina, 34 people are facing charges, according to the press release from the South Carolina attorney general. The couple is also known as Rob and Lynn Greene. Piece by piece, the task force identified a web of drug smugglers, half of whom were South Carolina natives. 'This has been the most aggressive, high-tech, team-oriented operation in the history of South Carolina,' Daniel said. Obviously this news outlet will keep close tabs on this investigation as it moves forward . Wild as it seems, the story is true. Les Riley lives on Seabrook Island. 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. We need to bring awareness to this issue, that drug dealers are not dealing drugs anymore. These are just the highlights of this incredible, true tale. 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.. Sergeant Forsberg served 21 years with the Broward Sheriffs Office and was a great asset to the BSOs Homicide Unit. He was as pleasant as can be.. That is certainly what it would seem like. Thousands of kilos of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine were pumping into Greenville County.. According to a federal indictment, the defendants have been identified as Glenn Talley Jr., Leonard Gatling, Stephanie Amber Hawkins, Joe Kent Graham, Jermaine Louis . Thats so many kids that could have died. Given their standards and their college educations, the two men were nicknamed the Gentlemen Smugglers.. Wilder still, the two main characters hail from Columbia, South Carolina. 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. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Nine people are facing federal charges after a major drug bust in the Hollywood area of southern Charleston County. The Lowcountry paper only got part of the story, though . 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. 2023 Columbia Metropolitan. 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. 'These definitely are major players.'. Investigators alleged the drug operation was linked to a Mexican drug cartel. The trucks run by Mexican restaurant Los Primos. Its much more organized, as seen in this case. It was a devastating blow to the task force. Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. Illegal drugs,. Pastor shoved out door, knocked flat on his back after protesting library's drag queen event for children. https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/local/hampton-county-guardian/2021/07/23/county-wide-operation-pentagon-nets-least-18-arrests-h-c/8075562002/. South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. 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. The thought immediately went through my mind that I wonder if they were responsible for his death, said Roberts. Published: May. The case is referred to as "Prison Empire," one of the state's largest narcotics conspiracy investigations ever indicted. Email him at mark@fitsnews.com. Barry and Les met in Key West where, in 1973, Barry persuaded Les that smuggling grass was much more lucrative than cutting it. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. In 1971, they asked Barry and another hotel guest to sail to Jamaica to bring back 400 pounds of marijuana. 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. These are low level dealers. Pinch the little fish to get info on the big fish. Georgia. The co-conspirators also face multiple charges related to their role in the drug trafficking operation. We spent a lot of time together. SLED agent Robert Stewart and Bart Daniel also traveled to Australia while the case was being appealed. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 10 biggest drug busts in U.S. history. The adventurous will enjoy tales of exotic locales, fugitive escapades, and mountains of drugs and money. South Carolina. When I saw the address come up we knew people that used to live on that road. If there is a drug connection to Alex, he would definitely be the big fish in the region. By FOX Carolina News Staff. Rest easy, hero. We invite thought provoking exchanges while sharing facts from reliable sources and discussing distinguished theories and speculation while showing the utmost consideration and respect for the victims and being mindful of due process. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? For those who want the full story of this local legend. 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. Specifically, date rape druggings which are alleged to have occurred at Sears establishments. News 19 reports that much of the operation was in the Upstate counties. Reflecting back, Governor McMaster says, It was virtually impossible to catch them in the act. ", Woman wins $100,000 lottery prize 11 hours after $11,000 casino jackpot. His loved ones and his BSO family will forever carry on his legacy.. What if someone not affiliated with drugs at all wanted Paul taken out and hired somebody local on the fringes of society? State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. According to Governor McMaster, The task force decided to use that publicity to let them know we were coming. Some smugglers quickly surrendered or were easily arrested and took plea deals in exchange for testifying against their co-defendants. Finally, having an accessible and secluded place to offload was vital. COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- Officials with the FBI Columbia field office and Columbia Violent Gang Task Force say nine individuals face drug trafficking charges. Cartels dont play games. Florida woman runs ultra-marathon distances for 23 consecutive days. 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. Theyre dealing death: York County, S.C. state leaders speak on fentanyl bust. Sergeant Forsberg gave and dedicated everything he had to his family, friends, coworkers, and the community.. Two rules were sacrosanct: no guns and no smuggling cocaine. ago British bus driver stops to give loose sheep a lift. 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. Others, including Barry and Les, were harder to bring in. Id want to see the actual lab result before I believed it. You didnt have any last words. Bigs,' arrived to collect the shipment. Theres no way theyd have the gumption to kill Maggie and Paul. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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! The first of three trials began in Charleston before U.S. District Court Judge Falcon B. Hawkins, Jr., even while asset seizures, indictments, and arrest efforts continued with the other smugglers. 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.