"Theyre twin siblings. 5, 2022 at 4:26 PM PDT HODGES, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Nine people were arrested after deputies found nearly eight pounds of meth and other drugs at a compound during a search,. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the operation started on Saturday when deputies did a roundup of dealers and suppliers who are major suppliers of illegal narcotics in Cherokee. Drug trafficking and violence are not distant cousins," Wilson said. Its something he hopes will soon be put to an end. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Were seeing it here in Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties in our circuit, said Barnette. Copyright 2022 WHNS. Updated: 8:44 PM EDT March 29, 2022. "Theres much more volume flowing into our communities. Thank you for all the hard work and dedication by all to make this difference in our communities., Myrtle Beach Police Department Chief Amy Prock, As we said before, Myrtle Beach is not a safe haven for criminals. 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. 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. Each of the defendants pleaded guilty to one of two indictments that collectively contained 72 counts of violations of federal law ranging from drug conspiracy and firearms violations to using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking. Says. (York County Sheriff's Office). Taco trucks owned by the Los Primos owners also allegedly played a role in the operation which according to a statewide grand jury appears to be connected to some proverbial bad hombres., In fact, the investigation revealed alleged connections to Mexican drug trafficking cartels operating in South Carolina and Georgia.. 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. Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. 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. In his 2022 Netflix special The Kings Jester, comedian Hasan Minhaj confessed that the pursuit of social media clout had Durant was acquired from Brooklyn in a blockbuster trade three weeks ago but was sidelined until Wednesday with a sprained Senate Republicans on Wednesday bashed President Bidens pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, accusing him of not being qualified We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. 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. 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. Additionally, a record 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses and poisonings last year, driven by fentanyl. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Coastal Carolina University Department of Public Safety is pleased to have been involved with this important investigation., Horry County Sheriffs Office, Sheriff Phillip Thompson, We are grateful for the partnerships we share with federal law enforcement, state and local agencies in the combined efforts to fight the surge of drugs in our communities. 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. He described the cartel as well-known and very violent organization. Its been a problem throughout the state of South Carolina. These defendants received the following sentences: Copyright 2022 WMBF. Wells Fargo Building This case illustrates the results that are possible when federal, state, and local agencies work together toward a common goal.. by Will Folks May 18, 2022 0 Nearly three dozen defendants are staring down more than 120 charges in connection with a major drug sting dubbed 'Los Banditos,' according to the office of South. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) An inmate is accused of operating a drug trafficking ring from behind bars in Spartanburg County. A substantial portion of those seized drugs were allegedly intended for South Carolina, a statement from the attorney generals office noted. "Folks, if this was a bag full of terrorists, if this was anthrax, our response would be overwhelming," Young County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said. 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. They also make the criminal aware that law enforcement will always pursue illegal operations that effect the safety of our citizens. "We can identify that number," Stirling said. She is charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine over 200 grams and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) A massive investigation into gang members and drug traffickers in Horry County helped to dismantle a violent criminal enterprise, according to federal authorities. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. Fentanyl seized by York County Sheriff's deputies. Numerous law enforcement agencies have assisted in the Los Banditos operation including the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Myth? Huckabee is accused of leading the distribution ring of more than 5,200 grams of meth and nearly 100 grams of marijuana. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. All rights reserved. The long list of agencies who worked together for this case is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to keeping our community safe, said Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock. or redistributed. 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. Investigators say Los Primos, a Mexican restaurant in Greenville, SC, was trafficking drugs for cartels. 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. Six people have been charged in a major drug bust in South Carolina. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more. She is charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine over 400 grams. Wilson announced the arrests at a press conference held in his offices on the grounds of the State House in downtown Columbia, S.C. on Wednesday. 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. All rights reserved. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. 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. These co-conspirators are also facing multiple charges related to their role in the DTO. 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. A locked padlock 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. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. Greenville:(864) 282-2100 The use of contraband cell phones is an issue the State Department of Corrections said is growing. Got a tip for a story? The hard work and dedication of the Greenville drug enforcement unit, SLED, and the South Carolina state grand jury has significantly decreased the availability of drugs in the Greenville community and arrested some of its worst drug dealers. The following people have been arrested and charged in connection to the case: Kenneth Lee Huckabee, 41 years old, is currently in the Department of Corrections. The defendants in these cases were all participants in this drug conspiracy. Lock This case illustrates the results that are possible when federal, state, and local agencies work together toward a common goal.. GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - A Greenville restaurant was busted for trafficking kilos of meth, cocaine and heroin for Mexican cartels, according to the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office. He says they have a system at one state prison that would allow them to do this. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. Drug trafficking and violence are not distant cousins," Wilson said. Related charges some suspects are facing include resisting. March 8, 2021. Additionally, some of the defendants have been charged with various firearms offenses. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Constantly updated. Investigators alleged the drug operation was linked to a Mexican drug cartel. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. PHOTOS: Kilos of drugs seized from Greenville restaurant allegedly trafficking for cartel, Murdaugh defense to make closing arguments at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Murdaugh Trial, Day 26: Testimony gets heated during states rebuttal, Attorney Jack Swerling Discusses Closing Arguments in Murdaugh Trial, High School in Rutherford Co. responds to reported threat, Veterans Museum of The Carolinas Launches Lecture Series, Upstate Mom Turns Grief Into Action After Son's Death From Hazing, Missing man found dead in Madison Co. following extensive search, Greenville restaurant used food trucks to traffic drugs for cartels, AG says, kelli.radcliff@foxcarolina.com - 864-213-2103. with the help of the South Carolina Department . 9 photos. Stirling says federal prisons are allowed to do so, but states are not. Deputies from the Spartanburg County Narcotics Unit, with the help of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, began investigating in March 2022. More than two dozen people were charged by a grand jury in connection with the bust. The SCDC says it's called on the FCC to allow state facilities to jam cellphones. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The investigation focused on a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, and Oconee counties. Wilkins said the amount of drugs flowing through upstate South Carolina is at the highest level he's ever seen. Waters also echoed statements made by SLED chief Mark Keel about the dangers of illicit drug use in the current fentanyl-driven marketplace. Witnesses testified that the 2007 shooting was a drug deal gone array.. According to Creighton Waters (above) chief attorney of the statewide grand jury the Los Banditos investigation began in 2018. Seven people, including an inmate from the Tyger River Correctional Institute, are facing charges. Until we get around it and taking care of the cell phone until we can handle it we are going to keep having this problem, said Barnette. The owners of Los Primos on West Parker Road were trafficking drugs out of the restaurant and through taco trucks as well, investigators said. 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. These operations require technology, experience, and boots on the ground in order to gather enough information to arrest and successfully prosecute participants in the drug trade. 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. Prado also indicated Interstate 85 in South Carolina was a major pipeline for trafficking. 43 people associated with Mexican drug cartels charged in South Carolina, AG says. Shandon Paige Hammett, 34 years old, is currently in the Spartanburg County detention facility. Kimberly Dawn Neal, 33 years old, is currently in the Spartanburg County detention facility. 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. So far, the Los Banditos operation has seized 11 kilograms of methamphetamine, 584 grams of cocaine, approximately $63,000 in cash, and over 20 firearms in South Carolina. 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 . `` ak_js_1 '' ).setAttribute ( `` ak_js_1 '' ).setAttribute ( `` value '', ( Date! He says they have a system at one state prison that would allow them do! Additionally, a record 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses and poisonings last year driven! 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