British bus driver stops to give loose sheep a lift. "When you look at the I-85 corridor from Charlotte to Atlanta, obviously its an artery for this type of illicit activity.. Methinks a killer(s) may be among those photos?! About 80 law enforcement officers descended on the home and made the arrests Wednesday without firing a shot, Verinder said. The numbers led back to Les. They grew their network to include names like Tom Rolex Rhoad, John Smokin Sneakers Jamison, Ashley Brunson, Bob Willie the Whale Bauer, Christy Campbell, and Frank Gunn, to name just a few, and occasionally partnered with a Virginia smuggling ring led by Barry Ice Cream Toombs that included Virginia brothers Lee and Michael Harvey. 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. He has other friends that have died as well. To cut costs, Amazon delays completion of second headquarters, closes retail stores, 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'True Romance' actor Tom Sizemore dead at 61, Dozens killed, injured as Jakarta fuel depot fire engulfs neighborhood, Migrant woman dies after U.S. Coast Guard stops vessel carrying 54, 3 children killed, 2 hospitalized in North Texas domestic incident. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. ( WCSC /Gray News) - Authorities in South Carolina say a youth pastor is facing more than a dozen assault charges for inappropriately touching young girls. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? Officials say they tracked down . Sergeant Forsberg was a great father, family man, great person, great friend to those who knew him, and a great law enforcement officer, the tribute read. Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. All theories are just as valid for the time being. 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. Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? No way drug dealers did this imo . But where are the principals in this drama now? Forsbergs family in the wake of their loss has raised more than $34,000 so far. 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. Updated October 21, 2022 8:37 AM. 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. [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. Paul and drugs are rumors . Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The post Hero Down: Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg Dies Unexpectedly appeared first on The Police Tribune. 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. CLICK HERE. Later, he moved into a Hollywood, Florida, beachside hotel frequented by men who participated in, among other activities, drug dealing. I believe it was his girlfriend, Morgan Doughty, that said he used cocaine on multiple occasions during her sworn deposition. All rights reserved. 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 . He was a dedicated father, public servant and friend. According to a news. 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. Updated: Oct. 29, 2020 at 4:30 PM PDT. Author: Holly Matkin. Related: Search warrant leads to seizure of more than 30 kilograms of fentanyl in York County. Given their standards and their college educations, the two men were nicknamed the Gentlemen Smugglers.. He is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. Barry Foy followed his prison time with a career in real estate and construction. Carolina Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson dies at . 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. 'In layman's terms, this is enough cocaine for every man, woman, and child in South Carolina to get high at least one time,' he said. So they are applauding the work, knowing much more work needs done. York County, SC. Many of the smugglers and kingpins evaded arrest for years, resulting in manhunts across the United States and world through the early and mid-1980s, and captures in Antigua, Australia, Miami, New York, and San Diego. 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. 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. It wouldnt be the best idea but who knows? South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to life in prison without parole Friday, a day after he was convicted of murder in the shooting deaths of his wife and son. And yes, he has LOTS of hats (including the above-pictured Washington Senators lid). He said, Hi Bart, my names Christy Campbell, and Im here to turn myself in, says Bart. Man who sent videos of adults sexually abusing infants to FBI agent sentenced to 19 years, Questions mount about how John Fetterman was allegedly able to pen letter with fellow Democrats while under supervision for depression in hospital, Thug breaks through child's bedroom window in middle of night but Dad gets whole family out of home, grabs machete, and takes hack at crook, Newly released footage shows horrific moment a suspect fleeing police in stolen vehicle smashed into a sedan, bringing down a building. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Nine people are facing federal charges after a major drug bust in the Hollywood area of southern Charleston County. The sheriff added that 87 people have lost their lives to fentanyl so far in 2022. The thought immediately went through my mind that I wonder if they were responsible for his death, said Roberts. 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. 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 . 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. These are low level dealers. LEXINGTON, S.C. (WIS) - A more than two-year investigation landed 17 people in federal custody as authorities busted a drug trafficking ring in the Midlands. 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. Now it's closing after donors sent school a big message. When I saw the address come up we knew people that used to live on that road. Email him at mark@fitsnews.com. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg, both blood and blue. Police in South Carolina seized more than 65 pounds of fentanyl Wednesday in a drug raid that officials describe as the largest-ever seizure of . Investigators have also seized 20 kilograms of meth, 5 kilos of heroin, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, and 82 firearms. Thousands of kilos of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine were pumping into Greenville County.. Its the most amazing story going on in law enforcement in the United States today, said Henry at the time. 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.. South Carolina. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? By working with our partners at SLED and local agencies, were able to investigate and prosecute complex trafficking conspiracies like this one and defend the rule of law.. RAPID CITY, S.D. 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. In most areas, major highways were within an easy distance, aiding quick distribution to major cities like Atlanta; New York; Washington, D.C.; and Chicago. News 19 reports that much of the operation was in the Upstate counties. Last week, deputies seized over 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. The task force, in concert with the U.S. Attorneys Office, worked to bring the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates to justice. Soldiers would sometimes even help load drugs onto the boats and then, once they were clear of land, fighting resumed. He was really fun to be with. 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. For those who want the full story of this local legend, Jackpot is a something-for-everyone kind of tale. Published: Oct. 24, 2022 at 3:06 AM PDT | Updated: Oct. 24, 2022 at 6:55 AM PDT YORK COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) - The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. SLED agent Robert Stewart and Bart Daniel also traveled to Australia while the case was being appealed. The property had a deep water dock. Could a rash of recent date rapes in this college town be the focus of city polices ongoing investigation?. Georgia. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. Cartels dont play games. They would of been BUSTED. One of President Reagans earliest actions, on recommendation of Sen. Strom Thurmond, was to appoint Henry McMaster as South Carolinas United States attorney. Rest easy, hero. We are forever indebted to his brave service and pray that he will Rest In Peace. This hit the drug smugglers smack in the purse strings. While Columbia police referenced an ongoing investigation in the statement they provided to the Post and Courier, the paper declined to provide its readers with any additional information as to what that inquiry might entail. I could barely move my arms and legs without help.. They owned homes on St. Barthlemy and drank copious amounts of expensive wine. Les and another defendant, Wally Butler, were found living in Australia and arrested on May 5, 1983. The case was investigated by the South Carolina State Grand Jury, which was assisted in this case by a partnership of the Attorney Generals State Grand Jury Division, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General, the Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit, the Thirteenth Circuit Solicitors office, Anderson County Sheriffs Office, Pickens County Sheriffs Office, Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office, Easley Police Department, Abbeville County Sheriffs Office, and the Oconee County Sheriffs Office. ', Suspected burglar inside New Brunswick home was a panicked deer. Agents also seized about $1 million in property, including the rented home, the yacht and five vehicles. 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. The Seoritas allegedly coordinated with inmates at the S.C. Department of Corrections (SCDC) via contraband cell phones to deliver drugs primarily methamphetamine to co-conspirators in the South Carolina Upstate. Bob Duncan said, 'It will be studied in law enforcement academies for many semesters on how this went so smoothly. The agents deserve all the credit, says Bart Daniel of the task force. Arrests resulted in insignificant charges, if any, so the two did not feel they were doing anything really criminal. S.C. circuit court judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for 23 of the 32 defendants. The case is referred to as "Prison Empire," one of the state's largest narcotics conspiracy investigations ever indicted. According to arrest records, 33-year-old Geoffrey Sears was charged with manufacturing marijuana while 39-year-old Jonathan Sears was charged with possession with intent to distribute and a separate charge of possession with intent to distribute in close proximity to a school. U.S Attorney E. Bart Daniel said the half-ton of uncut cocaine valued at $10 million was the largest confiscation of drugs in South Carolina history. "Theres much more volume flowing into our communities. The McCoys were served with notice of the states intention to seek life without the possibility of parole at their bond hearings last week. Ten other defendants are currently in prison. He has friends that have died. An abandoned van full of sacks of Lebanese hashish was found following a raid on Edisto Island in November 1981. They dont want you to see this Big Tech does its best to limit what news you see. 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. The upstate has become a hub," Wilson said at a press conference. Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. Judge Hawkins died in 2005, Dewey Greager in 2017, and Cam Littlejohn in 2018. As with anyone accused of committing any crime, the Sears are considered innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system or until such time as they may wish to enter some form of allocution in connection with a plea agreement with prosecutors related to any of the charges which have been filed against them. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. Investigators say six defendants in Mexico are now living among Jalisco New Generation Cartel members and are sourcing drugs directly from the cartel. 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. Well hold the line from here. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? Id want to see the actual lab result before I believed it. I highly suggest you watch Mandy Matneys Murdaugh Murders Podcast - especially those about Alexs possible connection to drugs smuggling along the east coast. Mario Pacella 1612 Newcastle, Suite 201 Brunswick GA 31520 (912) 264-6465 (Phone) (877) 787-6652 (Toll-Free) (912) 264-2470 (Fax) Centrally located in Columbia, South Carolina, the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. 'F****** AMATEUR HOUR': Furious Democrats lash out at Biden for announcement on radical DC crime law, Gun-toting road-rage motorist shot dead after armed man warns him to stop approaching him and his wife; cops say it looks like self-defense, Railroad union: Workers getting sick at site of Norfolk Southern's catastrophic hazmat spill in East Palestine, Teen bragged in rap song about killing another rapper, sheriff says, but cried 'like a baby that lost his pacifier' when charged with murder, Florida man allegedly told roommate, 'Im going to go over there and kill them all' before murdering his daughter and 3 others, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Others, including Barry and Les, were harder to bring in. 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. 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 . The Delhi Police on Wednesday destroyed over 2,800 kgs of . Deputies seize more than 90 pounds of marijuana during drug bust at South Carolina home. . A drop in the bucket compared to whats out there, she said. Some even volunteered to come along, enticed by the idea of cruising the Caribbean and returning on mattresses of marijuana bales. He was joined at a news conference in Columbia by S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) chief Mark Keel and other authorities. Large drug bust in Hampton County (for those of you who believe drugs played a role in the murders). 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. Houses, land, boats, and prized cars all disappeared into government coffers, much to the consternation of the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates. 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. But these moms believe getting some of the big fish off the street could save the lives of many. North Carolina. Sergeant Forsberg gave and dedicated everything he had to his family, friends, coworkers, and the community.. A normal hashish load had a street value of $90 million. 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. McClellanvilles creeks were popular, too. March 2 (UPI) -- A Florida woman earned a Guinness World Record when she completed 23 ultra-marathon runs -- 31.1 miles -- in a 23-day period. 170 charges filed against defendants linked to Mexican cartel . SLED agents began arresting suspects in the case on January 3, 2023 assisted by local law enforcement agencies. Military Digest Charleston man saved. All of these experiences relate to the astounding volume of marijuana and hashish smuggled into South Carolina by the so-called Gentlemen Smugglers with a street value, in todays dollars, of $1.8 billion. By FOX Carolina News Staff. Bob Jendron retired after a long career as a federal prosecutor, while his former coworker, Bart Daniel, served as U.S. attorney from 1989-1992 and is now a partner in a Charleston law firm. NYC Asking People to Give Bikes to Illegal Aliens! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 2023 Columbia Metropolitan. Daniel said the cocaine could have been sold for about $100 million if processed into crack. The Florida Police Benevolent Association (FPBA) also released a statement in the wake of the longtime sergeants death. In the 1970s, the drug was widely used, and the publics attitude was apathetic. Politics. All Rights Reserved. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) - Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright announced Thursday charges for 53 suspects during their Operation Repeat Offender drug operation. 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. [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. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu. McGowan is accused. represent clients in a variety of civil and criminal matters. Police from the Lee County sheriff's office, in coordination with South Carolina correctional authorities, made the busts following an eight-month investigation into the rings, which used drones to make late-night deliveries of contraband to the prison. 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. Within a short time, the men identified Barry as someone who recently used cash for a large land purchase. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. 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. At last, the High Court ruled that Americas kingpin statute was an extraditable offense in 40 nations of the former British Empire. 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. 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. After a drug bust in South Carolina,. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! This month the DEA made the biggest. Law enforcement says the people arrested for this crime will face 15 years in prison. 'In layman's terms, this is enough cocaine for . 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. 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. 'They were headed for New York City and Miami.'. Dubbed "Operation Pentagon," the investigation targeted the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and crack cocaine that has "plagued" the county, Smalls said. The two men were nicknamed "the Gentlemen Smugglers" given their standards and college education. 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. Curiously, though, police did not immediately say what type of drug Jonathan Sears allegedly possessed/ intended to distribute. On Wednesday, a Durham man was arrested after a chase hitting 120 mph and the "Gray Death" drug was found, deputies say. Im his mother what else would I say. They were executed with premeditation. According to a federal indictment, the defendants have been identified as Glenn Talley Jr., Leonard Gatling, Stephanie Amber Hawkins, Joe Kent Graham, Jermaine Louis . Lt. Robert Stewart became Chief of SLED, and Cam Currie became a U.S. District Court judge. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. All Rights Reserved. Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. ", Woman wins $100,000 lottery prize 11 hours after $11,000 casino jackpot. Unbeknownst to his grandmother, Skip charged the smugglers a fee to offload their product there. Minnesota officer removes jar from raccoon's head. Mark Powellisanaward-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. Holly Alsobrooks son Cody is one of them. 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. If its similar in Hampton county none of the people were major players instead addict selling to other addicts but who knows. It was unprecedented for the agencies to share information, much less work together and out of the same office. Charges range from drug trafficking and weapons to burglary and kidnapping. Tolson said the amount of fentanyl recovered in the bust was enough to kill every person in York County. Patty Roberts is not mincing her words when speaking on fentanyl. The cocaine was found in secret compartments aboard a twin-masted, 47-foot sailing yacht named the 'Arc.'. What is the talk on the street? 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. Also, 2 guys were arrested one month before the murders on drug charges: https://fox28media.com/news/local/deputies-2-arrested-meth-seized-in-hampton-county-south-carolina-drug-operation 13 51 51 comments New Add a Comment Tardis301 1 min. Possession of drug paraphernalia charge; $95,000 secure bond; .
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