Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. This multi-year operation specifically targeted members of this drug trafficking organization based on their interstate importation of large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine into South Carolina from the New York area, and their use of firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes. Kelly Clarkson's Home Collection Is Up to 74% Off During Way Day Deals, The Best Wayfair Way Day Deals 2023 Starting at $30, Wayfair's Way Day Sale Includes Up to 60% Off Outdoor Furniture Here's What to Shop ASAP, Amazon Has So Many Good Mother's Day Gifts on Sale Right Now. Goldsby said she is worried about the longterm impacts the pandemic will have. 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. 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. One of the defendants, a paralegal, is accused of sending drugs and phones into prison through hollowed out court transcripts, ABC News 4 reports. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? Following a 3-year, multi-agency investigation into a Midlands drug trafficking ring, 17 individuals were federally charged this week, U.S. Attorney for South . CLICK HERE. He is from Los Angeles and a native of Trinidad, but investigators said he is in the U.S. illegally. HUDSON The Columbia County Sheriff's Office arrested three suspected drug dealers this week after seizing drugs, cash and guns during multiple raids planned over the course of six months. Las Banditos involved multiple agencies, local, state and federal, led to the indictments, along with the seizure of approximately $825,000 of methamphetamines, $70,000 of cocaine, approximately $63,000 in cash and more than 20 firearms. Authorities identified the driver as 34-year-old Sheldon Alexander. This was a very large scale organized drug operation that allegedly was trafficking kilograms of drugs every week into Greenville County, 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins said. Florence County authorities said the cocaine had an estimated street value of around $9 million. He said both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. ", "By the time we had driven from Cotton Gin [I was] completely limp," one victim recalled. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WYFF-TV. Curiously, though, police did not immediately say what type of drug Jonathan Sears allegedly possessed/ intended to distribute. The full list of defendants and the charges they each face can be found here. Read More. Authorities say they used a search warrant . Attorney General Alan Wilson said a joint investigation in the Upstate called Los Banditos alleges much of the drug trafficking was run and facilitated by the owners of the Los Primos restaurant located in Greenville, near an elementary school. Press Release. That is apparently the maximum for the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl drug charges. ", 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. Man out on bond found with $9M in cocaine during traffic stop, sheriffs office says, Pedestrian on life support after being hit in SE Roanoke traffic, Person being treated after Bedford County barricade, Troopers make interesting find while cleaning highway, Supreme Court to decide important case on government power, Virginia-rooted Old Dominion set to play in Roanoke, 4 dead in Mojave Desert community after shooting report, El Chapo sons send Mexico cartels cheap fentanyl into US, Bridging the Great Health Divide Across the US, PublicFileAccess@wdbj7.com - (540) 344-7000. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. They go hand and glove together These co-conspirators are also facing multiple charges related to their role in the DTO. It happened around 3 p.m. on Friday at a home on Mayer Street. 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. That was a good feeling seeing all those pills were off the street. Colombia's armed forces made their largest drug bust of the year so far on Tuesday, seizing 10 tons of cocaine from the National Liberation Army (ELN), a leftist guerrilla group . 6-month investigation ends in Columbia County drug busts, Here are your picks for the Best of the Capital Region 2023. The restaurant served not only food but served as the regional hub in which cocaine and methamphetamine were allegedly trafficked throughout South Carolina and other states in our region, Wilson said. Man out on bond found with $9M in cocaine during traffic stop, sheriffs office says, Police: 1 dead, another hurt after shooting reported at Horry County bar, Supreme Court to decide important case on government power, 4 dead in Mojave Desert community after shooting report, Man accused of holding woman at gunpoint, stealing her car, publicfile@live5news.com - (843) 402-5555. News 19 reports that much of the operation was in the Upstate counties. Columbia police say they found 20 pounds of real marijuana at a CBD store in Five Points, $50K winning Powerball ticket sold in Lexington, Columbia gas prices fall nearly 12 cents over past week, Cordova Fire Department finds surprise inside tree. 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. They're accused of conspiring to traffic heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine,. Copyright 2022 WBTV. GREENVILLE, S.C. . WEST COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - More arrests are expected in a drug bust that netted 22 people in a West Columbia neighborhood near a school and a park where children play. According to court records, beginning in July 2018 . The investigation is named Las Seoritas because several of the main targets are women who have allegedly fled to Mexico to escape prosecution in the United States. Obviously this news outlet will keep close tabs on this investigation as it moves forward Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Tolson said the amount of fentanyl recovered in the bust was enough to kill every person in York County. Simpson was taken to Columbia County jail in lieu of $100,00 cash bail or $200,000 bail bond, and will reappear in town court at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. by Mandy Matney September 22, 2020. If you want a pest-free patio this spring, the most important thing you can do is take away those elements that bugs find desirable. Drug crime charges and drug busts in South Carolina are very serious. but must have a THC concentration of 0.3. We need to bring awareness to this issue, that drug dealers are not dealing drugs anymore. One of the suspects was a manager at a CBD store. Law enforcement says the people arrested for this crime will face 15 years in prison. Drug trafficking and violence are not distant cousins," Wilson said. He said defendant Marcy Dawn Vickers allegedly fled in 2022, and defendant Kelli Edwards allegedly fled in October 2022. Driver killed in head-on collision on South Carolina road, Highway Patrol says Updated April 30, 2023, 9:44 AM 9 shot, 2 others hurt in shooting at Columbia park early Saturday Wilson stressed that the people charged are presumed innocent until they are convicted in a court of law. A search warrant on Crowntown Cannabis at 610 Harden Street, recovered approximately 15-20 pounds of green plant-like material believed to be marijuana. FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - A traffic stop turned into a major drug bust in South Carolina this week. More details are expected to be released when the charging process is complete. The sheriffs office said deputies had probable cause to search the car during the traffic stop and ended up finding 118 pounds of cocaine, $182,000 in cash and a gun. "Theyre twin siblings. Ten of . From there, they often come to South Carolina.. May 23, 2019 2 Arrested In. Wilson said that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with local law enforcement, began making arrests as part of this investigation on Tuesday. Police searching for driver in deadly hit-and-run in Salisbury, Waxhaw native Saldiveri becomes first player from his Union Co. school drafted into NFL. This is the main indication that we have a serious increase in the need for services for people who are misusing substances and alcohol.. 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He was really fun to be with. Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Columbia Pharmacy Burglary. The Federal Communications Commission passed a rule that will allow state prisons to identify contraband cellphones and require carriers to turn the phone signals off in 2021. He said, Its just been a dark cloud over the recovery community. These co-conspirators are also facing multiple charges related to their role in the DTO. He said both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. Yet our response to the opioid and fentanyl crisis is underwhelming, Tolson said. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Right now, DHEC does not have data on fatal overdoses for this year, but they do keep track of the number of times the overdose reversal drug Naloxone is administered. 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. Lets Eat at Azalea Bistro in Saluda, N.C. Study Reveals Differences Between Millennial and, Lets Eat at Tuk Tuk Thai and Vietnamese Kitchen, 5 brands that consistently make great Chromebooks, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day. A substantial portion of those seized drugs were allegedly intended for South Carolina, he said. "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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. COLUMBIA, S.C. Columbia Police said drugs, guns, and money were seized in a recent drug bust that netted one man a hefty bond. Were seeing people who are incarcerated continue their criminal ways behind bars," SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said. 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. So they are applauding the work, knowing much more work needs done. Holbrook added that 30-year-old Karry Cohen and 23-year-old Alessandra Morales were given citations for lesser offenses. Sears, 39, along with Geoffrey Sears, 33, were taken. 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. With that being said, typically, drugs come across the United States southern border and are then transported to Atlanta, Georgia, which is the major drug hub for the southeast region of the United States, Wilson said. Drug trafficking and violence are not distant cousins," Wilson said. Copyright 2022 WCSC. That is certainly what it would seem like. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children. Two men Timothy Simpson, 43, of Philmont andEvan Kravitz, 36, of Claverack were arrested. COLUMBIA, SC (WSPA) - The early release of a convicted murderer was vacated by the South Carolina Supreme Court in a 3-2 ruling Wednesday afternoon. "Narcotics agents got a tip about drug activity in the . Stay up to date with WIS News 10. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - South Carolinas attorney general said an investigation into a drug ring operating in South Carolina and Georgia resulted in 124 criminal charges against 34 people. And yes, he has LOTS of hats (including the above-pictured Washington Senators' lid). When the pandemic started and people were staying at home and away from loved ones they braced for increase usage of alcohol and drugs among South Carolinians. List: Charlotte ranked No. Saratoga Springs firefighters want chief out, USS Slater kept afloat by shrinking number of volunteers, Three more Rensselaer County officials charged in FBI probe, Nearly five years later, Schoharie limo families ready for trial, WFP line in Rensselaer County's 2021 races key in FBI case, Churchill: Former FBI agent won't talk about Shahed Hussain. Bobby Brazell. Investigators found 160 grams of cocaine, $12,000 in cash, a vehicle and two handguns during the raid, the sheriff's office said. Especially, when it is quite literally close to home. FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - A traffic stop turned into a major drug bust in South Carolina this week. This is a carousel. Also, these arrests are reportedly just the beginning of a much broader investigation Jonathan Sears - who owns or co-owns a lengthy list of Columbia establishments including The Bird Dog, The Cotton Gin, The Gourmet Shop, Hendrix, Jake's Bar and Pavlov's - was arrested along with his relative, Geoffrey Sears, on Blossom Street last Thursday by officers of the Columbia, S.C. police department (CPD). Deputies said Alexander was found to be out on bond and is also facing a murder charge in California. The Executive Director for Midlands Recovery Center said, There are jokes that for people in long term recovery 2020 should count as two years sobriety instead of one., Brazell said the pandemic has made it tough to try to help people on the road to recovery struggling with substance use disorder. "The drug enforcement unit has been very busy the past two weeks," Bart. The investigation led to additional seizures in Atlanta of approximately $15 million in methamphetamine, more than $400,000 of cocaine and more than $300,000 of heroin, he said. Access to services have been limited due to the pandemic. It is a drop in the bucket. Sumter Co., SC (WOLO) The Sumter County has made a major drug seizure keeping several types of illegal drugs from making their way on to the street. Patty Roberts is not mincing her words when speaking on fentanyl. Will Folks April 29 . The Sumter County Sheriff's Office, along with . Throughout the extensive multi-agency investigation, it was revealed that the much of the drug trafficking was coordinated by current and former prison inmates through contraband cell phones. Copyright 2022 WMBF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Feelings of isolation, financial issues and fears over COVID-19 could be worsening the opioid epidemic nationally and in South Carolina. Copyright 2022 WMBF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. The department said on Friday that a narcotics. Wilson announced Thursday that the South Carolina State Grand Jury has issued indictments that contain 170 charges against 43 defendants. CLICK HERE. All rights reserved. He says they have a system at one state prison that would allow them to do this. "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. 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 was transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Folks, if this was a bag full of terrorists, if this was anthrax, our response would be overwhelming. Complaints of drug activity ultimately led to the investigation by the Columbia Police Department's Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit. YORK COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) - The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Barbie unveils Anna May Wong doll for AAPI Heritage, $100,000 Palmetto Cash 5 ticket sold in Anderson, Texas mass shooting suspect could be anywhere, sheriff, Roof collapse at house near Ohio State University, Daughter of Buccaneers LB Shaq Barrett drowns in, Tippetts 3-run HR in 7th the difference as #3 South, Ruszkowski & Davenport hit late HRs to help #6 Clemson, Three Gamecocks taken on final day of NFL Draft;, Henry, McFadden & D. Allen taken in 5th round of, Kendall Lanford & ClearView Performing at Spring, Gearing Up for the Reedy River Duck Derby, Jamarcus is LIVE in Spartanburg Ahead of this weekends. Authorities described one of the suspects in custody as a "prolific offender. Earlier this month, the CDC announced a health alert for a spike in fatal overdoses across the country. The sheriffs office said deputies had probable cause to search the car during the traffic stop and ended up finding 118 pounds of cocaine, $182,000 in cash and a gun. They have 24/7 365 to think of ways to get it in," Stirling said. Restaurant owners also allegedly operated taco trucks which they use to sell their drugs in that area.. Six charged in drug, weapons bust. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Bobby Brazell said its been a tough year for people in recovery like himself. During the week of Labor Day, 13 people were arrested on drug or drug trafficking charges during a local drug bust operation led by Sumter deputies. 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. The Federal Communications Commission passed a rule that will allow state prisons to identify contraband cellphones and require carriers to turn the phone signals off in 2021.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. A South Carolina business owner and his wife were arrested after deputies seized 400 marijuana edibles. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. Roberts says Adam thought he was taking Xanax for his anxiety but ended up with enough fentanyl in his system to kill four people. If you have been charged with possession, trafficking, or manufacturing drugs, the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Related: Search warrant leads to seizure of more than 30 kilograms of fentanyl in York County. The Supreme Court said Jeroid Price must . Think outside the box this Mothers Day and opt for gifts other than flowers and chocolate. "We continue to aggressively target anyone spreading this poison throughout our community," Sheriff David Bartlett said in a statement. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. 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. 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. 39 indicted in major upstate drug bust in Spartanburg, Cherokee Pickens counties, . This is absolutely the pill of death, said Patty Roberts, a mother who lost her son to a fentanyl death. Im his mother what else would I say. Columbia, South Carolina--- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. announced today that a joint team of more than 200 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers arrested fourteen people who have all been charged in federal court for their roles in an alleged violent drug trafficking ring in the Midlands area of South Carolina.. The case is referred to as "Prison Empire," one of the state's largest narcotics conspiracy investigations ever indicted. COLUMBIA, S.C. Columbia Police have announced several arrests tied to an investigation off of Farrow Road that stemmed from resident complaints. The investigation focused on a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, and Oconee counties. Drug production boomed in Colombia during the pandemic. Some of the cocaine seized, he said, was mixed with fentanyl. 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. So when she sees the huge spread of the same drug that killed her child on a sheriffs office table instead of someones system, she is hopeful but cautious. 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.. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said 50-year-old Steven David Petty, of Gaffney, was. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office arrested three suspected drug dealers during the week of March 20, 2018, after seizing drugs, cash and guns during multiple raids planned over the course of six months. Cohen and Morales were given citations for possession of hemp without a license. Investigators say Funchess-McClam was apprehended at the scene . FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - A traffic stop turned into a major drug bust in South Carolina this week. Wilson said the restaurant would eventually serve as a regional hub through which cocaine and methamphetamine were allegedly trafficked to other states. "But the biggest thing is they use the cellphone they have to coordinate the deliveries, as the General said, of drone drops, staff.. This content is imported from YouTube. Forty-three co-conspirators are charged with trafficking methamphetamine, 400 grams or more, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years. COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) Multiple arrests have been made after a drug bust in Columbia. Thats so many kids that could have died. Or an issue you'd like to address proactively? According to the Florence County Sheriffs Office, it all started when deputies stopped a vehicle for speeding on Interstate 95 on Monday. paternity court damien johnson father part 3, rent houses in mineola, tx,