British bus driver stops to give loose sheep a lift. In 1971, they asked Barry and another hotel guest to sail to Jamaica to bring back 400 pounds of marijuana. I believe the drug smuggling is discussed in Podcast Episodes 31 and 32. While both men delegated sailing and offloading to others early on, they enjoyed the thrill of smuggling and the lifestyle it afforded them, and they were always in search of a bigger adventure. If there is a drug connection to Alex, he would definitely be the big fish in the region. Defendant Kelli Edwards allegedly fled in October 2022. It was a devastating blow to the task force. We are forever indebted to his brave service and pray that he will Rest In Peace. 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 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. represent clients in a variety of civil and criminal matters. March 3 (UPI) -- A sheep spotted wandering loose on a British highway was given a lift back to its owner by a concerned bus driver on her first day on the job. McGowan is accused. 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. We spent a lot of time together. Ten other defendants are currently in prison. 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. The payday for smugglers was double that of marijuana. 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. But these moms believe getting some of the big fish off the street could save the lives of many. Piece by piece, the task force identified a web of drug smugglers, half of whom were South Carolina natives. Updated October 21, 2022 8:37 AM. One of the hottest rumors in Hampton county, South Carolina at the moment is that a massive drug bust orchestrated last month by sheriff Thomas "T.C." Smalls is somehow tied to a brutal double homicide that took place in early June at a hunting compound owned by one of the Palmetto State's most prominent families. 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. 'For the most part, these drugs were not headed for South Carolina,' he said. Other choices included an abandoned oyster shelling company on Hilton Head and West Bank Plantation on Edisto Island, owned by Ella Seabrook, grandmother of Barry and Les friend, Skip Sanders. But where are the principals in this drama now? 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 . Forsbergs death in a Facebook post several days later. The statement on theinvestigation revealed alleged connections to Mexican drug trafficking cartels operating in South Carolina and Georgia. 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. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? 63 people face drug charges after South Carolina investigation Posted: Mar 31, 2021 / 03:00 PM EDT Updated: Mar 31, 2021 / 03:08 PM EDT SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) - Sixty-three people are facing. Purchase a new subscription and qualify for $100 of fine dining, theater tickets and MORE! [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. Detric McGowan Arrested in Alleged South Carolina Drug Bust after Story Went Viral February 27, 2019, 4:19 PM This good Samaritan who went viral for buying $540 worth of Girl Scout cookies was. '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. Many of the drugs were allegedly trafficked out of the restaurant, and also out of taco trucks owned by the restaurant, officials said. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. I could barely move my arms and legs without help.. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. When all the Operation Jackpot trials were over, more than 100 smugglers went to jail. March 2 (UPI) -- A Maryland woman scored a $100,000 prize from a scratch-off lottery ticket less than 12 hours after she scored an $11,000 jackpot at a casino. 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. Typical agency turf wars were not allowed; anyone who refused to play nice was excused from the team. After brief attempts at college, first at Newberry College and then at USC, Barry began selling marijuana in Five Points. Does anybody else think its just an amazing coincidence that LE rounded up all these local Hampton/ Colleton county drug knuckleheads about a month after the Murdaugh murders? This is absolutely the pill of death, said Patty Roberts, a mother who lost her son to a fentanyl death. The arrests culminated a five-months investigation by the FBI, the Coast Guard, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Customs Service and the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department. By FOX Carolina News Staff. What if someone not affiliated with drugs at all wanted Paul taken out and hired somebody local on the fringes of society? Author: Holly Matkin. 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. India News | Press Trust of India | Wednesday December 21, 2022. In a statement released jointly by the National Sheriff's Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, Western States Sheriffs' Association, Southwestern Border Sheriffs' Coalition, and Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition, the groups asserted "that the two main drivers of illicit drugs leading to overdoses and violence into the U.S. are Sinaloa Drug traffickers used a Mexican eatery and taco trucks to transport drugs around South Carolina, state prosecutors said Wednesday. Reflecting back, Governor McMaster says, It was virtually impossible to catch them in the act. 5, 2022 at 7:26 PM EDT . Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 'In layman's terms, this is enough cocaine for . Click this link for the original source of this article. Les bought a home on Hilton Head, as well as other property, and used it for offloading his merchandise. The post Hero Down: Broward Sheriffs Office Sergeant Kevin Forsberg Dies Unexpectedly appeared first on The Police Tribune. 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. Bone-Breakers, crossbow . Military Digest Charleston man saved. South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. For those who want the full story of this local legend, Jackpot is a something-for-everyone kind of tale. 'We smashed an international drug smuggling operation,' said Frederick B. Verinder, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation. 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. The agents deserve all the credit, says Bart Daniel of the task force. 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. 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. Cartels dont play games. Surrey couple plans to pay off mortgage after winning $500,000. Others, including Barry and Les, were harder to bring in. A trusted neighbor is on top of a 20-foot ladder in . 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. J. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. 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. The product was better and fetched a higher price. 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. While it was a more lucrative product, cocaine smugglers invariably toted automatic weapons. Both suspects were released from the Florence County Detention Center on April 2, 2022, on a $50,000 surety bond each. Thousands of grams of cocaine, and hundreds of grams of meth and marijuana were also found, along with four firearms. Georgia. [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. 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.. Just like him being a CI . South Carolina. 'These definitely are major players.'. 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. Tolson said the amount of fentanyl recovered in the bust was enough to kill every person in York County. Cape Fear Bust: 20 arrests, 50 weapons, 10,000 grams of narcotics. Large drug bust in Hampton County (for those of you who believe drugs played a role in the murders). An abandoned van full of sacks of Lebanese hashish was found following a raid on Edisto Island in November 1981. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? They dont want you to see this Big Tech does its best to limit what news you see. Among those arrested on drug-trafficking and conspiracy charges were three Hilton Head Island residents and five Colombians. Press J to jump to the feed. ago Agents also seized about $1 million in property, including the rented home, the yacht and five vehicles. 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 . Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. 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. Investigators have also seized 20 kilograms of meth, 5 kilos of heroin, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, and 82 firearms. The McCoys were served with notice of the states intention to seek life without the possibility of parole at their bond hearings last week. With each trip, Barry and Les learned more about the smuggling business. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Nine people are facing federal charges after a major drug bust in the Hollywood area of southern Charleston County. Specifically, date rape druggings which are alleged to have occurred at Sears establishments. Copyright 2022 WBTV. 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. Obviously this news outlet will keep close tabs on this investigation as it moves forward . When the hospital drug tested Paul the night of the boating accident, there were no drugs in his system. Or an issue youd like to address proactively? Even though task force members cooperated with one another, their superiors sometimes tried to throw up turf-related roadblocks. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? 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. 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. 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. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District N.C. Michael Easley announces at the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office the arrest of 20 . By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Especially, when it is quite literally close to home. 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. A drop in the bucket compared to whats out there, she said. Her son, Adam, fell victim to the drug. Folks, if this was a bag full of terrorists, if this was anthrax, our response would be overwhelming. That is certainly what it would seem like. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. The verdict came in shortly before 7 p . 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. According to a federal indictment, the defendants have been identified as Glenn Talley Jr., Leonard Gatling, Stephanie Amber Hawkins, Joe Kent Graham, Jermaine Louis . Its the most amazing story going on in law enforcement in the United States today, said Henry at the time. 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. Among the chief targets of Operation Jackpot were South Carolina marijuana kingpins Barry Foy, from Billinge and Les Riley, who stood accused of smuggling 347,000 pounds of marijuana and 130,000 pounds of hashish into the United States. Im his mother what else would I say. 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. 7-year-old baseball umpire seeks Guinness World Record. In discussing the issue with Brian Wellesley, Internal Revenue Service criminal investigation chief for North and South Carolina, Henry learned of a novel Net Worth approach successfully used in Southern California to identify probable criminals there by comparing the costs of their homes, cars, boats, and extravagant lifestyles with their likely income. 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. South Carolina partnered with Georgia and federal authorities to make the drug bust. 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. 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. 'This has been the most aggressive, high-tech, team-oriented operation in the history of South Carolina,' Daniel said. CLICK HERE. 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. 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. 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. 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 Canal Street home was raided last Thursday by CPD narcotics agents prior to the Sears arrests. 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. In January of this year, reporter Kailey Cota of The Daily Gamecock the student newspaper for The University of South Carolina reported that multiple students and other Five Points patrons reported being illegally drugged at Cotton Gin, Pavlovs Bar and Jakesduring the fall 2020 semester., At least three victims submitted incident reports in connection with these alleged druggings describing how they felt nauseous, dizzy and then vomited and blacked out., By the time we had driven from Cotton Gin [I was] completely limp, one victim recalled. , Four more suspects in operation pentagon https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/local/hampton-county-guardian/2021/07/27/two-more-suspects-custody-operation-pentagon-arrest-tally-now-20/5385106001/. News of these arrests was first sent to our tip line early Friday morning and FITSNews sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the city seeking information related to the arrests over the weekend. They would of been BUSTED. Minnesota officer removes jar from raccoon's head. In a case reaching both sides of the Rio Grande, 43 Upstate drug trafficking defendants now face a total of 170 charges after being indicted by the South Carolina statewide grand jury. The cocaine was found in secret compartments aboard a twin-masted, 47-foot sailing yacht named the 'Arc.'. 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. ", Woman wins $100,000 lottery prize 11 hours after $11,000 casino jackpot. Les and Barry considered marijuana a nearly legal product. South Carolina drug bust catches Charleston college drug ring pushing cocaine, Ecstasy and Xanax By Tobias Salinger NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Jun 24, 2016 at 8:06 pm Nine young people arrested as. He eagerly implemented it in South Carolina. Officials refused to identify the fifth Colombian arrested. The story is utterly fantastic, with a list of villains so long one has trouble keeping up with them all. The investigation and prosecution is known as Operation Jackpot, which was chronicled in a book called, Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. The task force, in concert with the U.S. Attorneys Office, worked to bring the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates to justice. Hes an incredible person to me of course. It is much more significant," he said. SCDNR never sought a warrant to compel the hospital to draw Pauls blood that night, but the hospital did anyway The doctor said that no drugs were found in Pauls system.. SLED agent Robert Stewart and Bart Daniel also traveled to Australia while the case was being appealed. A man has been arrested for a major drug bust in Rutherford County, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. That was a good feeling seeing all those pills were off the street. SLED agents began arresting suspects in the case on January 3, 2023 assisted by local law enforcement agencies. The Hilton Head Island residents were identified as David A. Childs Jr., 38, and Lynn G. Paul, 40. Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? It is a drop in the bucket. 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. All theories are just as valid for the time being. One of President Reagans earliest actions, on recommendation of Sen. Strom Thurmond, was to appoint Henry McMaster as South Carolinas United States attorney. 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! They owned homes on St. Barthlemy and drank copious amounts of expensive wine. 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 today's dollars. Coast Guard Cmdr. About 80 law enforcement officers descended on the home and made the arrests Wednesday without firing a shot, Verinder said. https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/local/hampton-county-guardian/2021/07/23/county-wide-operation-pentagon-nets-least-18-arrests-h-c/8075562002/. 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. . 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. 170 charges filed against defendants linked to Mexican cartel . The task force used a 1978 amendment to the United States civil forfeiture provisions allowing the seizure of drug-related offenders property before conviction or without any conviction at all. He has other friends that have died as well. The adventurous will enjoy tales of exotic locales, fugitive escapades, and mountains of drugs and money. The third island resident was identified as Kathy G. Gerald, 39. 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 . 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. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina announced today that all 30 have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in federal court. Roberts says Adam thought he was taking Xanax for his anxiety but ended up with enough fentanyl in his system to kill four people. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The defendants, mostly from South Carolina, were traced to alleged narcotics operations through a 'paper trail' of bank drafts, passports and other documents. 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. Id want to see the actual lab result before I believed it. North Carolina. 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.