It was a devastating blow to the task force. And yes, he has LOTS of hats (including the above-pictured Washington Senators lid). Asheville Police arrest 4 on multiple drug charges - WHNS McGowan is accused. [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. With that, Barrys career as a drug smuggler launched, and he enjoyed legendary status among Columbias marijuana enthusiasts. Growing up a few miles from Les in Columbia, Barry Foy spent his youth delivering newspapers and eggs, working on construction crews, and pumping gas. 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. 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. The attorney general's office said the restaurant served as a regional hub through which drugs were trafficked to other states, with some drugs allegedly trafficked out of taco trucks owned by the restaurant owners. They were executed with premeditation. District of South Carolina | Thirty Horry County Gang Members and Drug 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. J. 2023 Columbia Metropolitan. Got a tip for a story? 'We smashed an international drug smuggling operation,' said Frederick B. Verinder, the FBI agent in charge of the investigation. Conventional thinking was that major smuggling originated in big cities like New York, Atlanta, or Chicago; however, David Forbes with the IRS and Claude McDonald with Customs received enough tips and rumors over the years to believe the culprits were closer to home. Assistant United States Attorneys Cam Currie, Bob Jendron, Cam Littlejohn, and Bart Daniel assisted in the effort both by helping with asset identification and seizure and with prying criminals out of the countries where they were hiding. The agents deserve all the credit, says Bart Daniel of the task force. Obviously this news outlet will keep close tabs on this investigation as it moves forward . 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. Its much more organized, as seen in this case. The numbers led back to Les. Even though task force members cooperated with one another, their superiors sometimes tried to throw up turf-related roadblocks. According to the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office, the owners of the Los Primos restaurant located in Greenville, South Carolina, allegedly ran and facilitated most of the drug trafficking. A trusted neighbor is on top of a 20-foot ladder in . He eagerly implemented it in South Carolina. Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. Between February 1, 2021, and December 14, 2022, law enforcement seized over 25 kilograms of methamphetamine (with a street value of approximately $800,000) and 30 guns as part of this investigation. As native South Carolinians, they did not take long to settle on the lush Carolina coast, with its virtually endless waterways and, in the 1970s, undeveloped seclusion. I highly suggest you watch Mandy Matneys Murdaugh Murders Podcast - especially those about Alexs possible connection to drugs smuggling along the east coast. The full list of defendants and the charges they each face can be found here. After a drug bust in South Carolina,. 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. Charges range from drug trafficking and weapons to burglary and kidnapping. Investigators say six defendants in Mexico are now living among Jalisco New Generation Cartel members and are sourcing drugs directly from the cartel. By signing up to the Blaze News newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications from Blaze Media that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content. South Carolina. Especially, when it is quite literally close to home. Defendant Michael Pardi allegedly fled last month. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) - Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright announced Thursday charges for 53 suspects during their Operation Repeat Offender drug operation. If there is a drug connection to Alex, he would definitely be the big fish in the region. First Published: 1:00 PM PDT, May 19, 2022 Officials seized paraphernalia in South Carolina and Georgia, leading to 34 individuals facing charges. Well hold the line from here. Got a tip for a story? Les and another defendant, Wally Butler, were found living in Australia and arrested on May 5, 1983. Deputies say that the drug bust happened on Tuesday on Southers. By FOX Carolina News Staff. Copyright 2022 WBTV. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. All theories are just as valid for the time being. So both were allegedly dealing marijuana, right? 2022 Blaze Media LLC. Finally, having an accessible and secluded place to offload was vital. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Hilton Head was marijuana smuggling hotspot before 1980s bust | Hilton 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. The trucks run by Mexican restaurant Los Primos. Forsbergs family in the wake of their loss has raised more than $34,000 so far. And hes just missed beyond words, she said. 9 arrested after drug bust in Greenwood County, deputies say - WHNS Les Riley grew up just a few miles from downtown Columbia. 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. In time, the drug trade grew crowded in South Florida. But, by pooling their collective expertise, they were an extraordinarily effective weapon against drug smuggling. 'They're dealing death': York County, S.C. state leaders speak on No way drug dealers did this imo . Drug Bust: Latest News, Photos, Videos on Drug Bust - NDTV.COM 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. https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/local/hampton-county-guardian/2021/07/23/county-wide-operation-pentagon-nets-least-18-arrests-h-c/8075562002/. 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. York County, SC. Alleged drug traffickers in South Carolina used taco trucks to transport pounds of meth, cocaine and heroin, state prosecutors said Wednesday. 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. 'King Of Five Points' Arrested As Part Of Massive Drug Bust - FITSNews Firefighters hoist horse stranded in backyard swimming pool. with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges, sending drugs and phones into prison through hollowed out court transcripts, Do not sell or share my personal information. National. Tom Rhoad received a 15-year sentence, Barry Foy got 18 years, and Les Riley was sentenced to 21 years. Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. South Carolina: Man receives million dollar bond after drug bust Tolson said the amount of fentanyl recovered in the bust was enough to kill every person in York County. This major drug trafficking ring was anything but unbelievable, said Solicitor Walt Wilkins. 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. The third island resident was identified as Kathy G. Gerald, 39. Four drug-related arrests made at Lancaster, S.C. home - WBTV I thought my God thats just a mile from my house. Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. Within a short time, the men identified Barry as someone who recently used cash for a large land purchase. 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.. Operation Jackpot (drug investigation) - Wikipedia He was a dedicated father, public servant and friend. All Rights Reserved. The two men were nicknamed the Gentlemen Smugglers given their standards and college education. 9 arrested after drug bust in Greenwood County, deputies say. We are forever indebted to his brave service and pray that he will Rest In Peace. 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. In the 1970s, the drug was widely used, and the publics attitude was apathetic. South Carolina busts gangs flying contraband to prison by drone CLICK HERE. He is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. The Florida Police Benevolent Association (FPBA) also released a statement in the wake of the longtime sergeants death. It was just talked on Wednesday, see you later and there was no later, she said. South Carolina Drug Bust Found Drugs Allegedly Being Sold From Thousands of kilos of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine were pumping into Greenville County.. Im thinking serious cartel and/ or gang bosses who are higher up. 'In layman's terms, this is enough cocaine for . He was also a member of the cast of A&Es The First 48, where he and his team raced to solve murders immediately after crimes are committed. His upbringing was typical of the South, with plenty of time spent hunting, fishing, and escorting the occasional debutante. 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. Surrey couple plans to pay off mortgage after winning $500,000. Kentucky man stops for breakfast, wins $50,000 lottery prize. Because of lax drug coastal patrols, hometown familiarity and a plethora of inlets, South Carolina was the gentlemen smugglers' most frequent destination for offloading drugs. You didnt have any I love yous or goodbye or nothing. McClellanvilles creeks were popular, too. CLICK HERE. Thousands of grams of cocaine, and hundreds of grams of meth and marijuana were also found, along with four firearms. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 cocaine was found in secret compartments aboard a twin-masted, 47-foot sailing yacht named the 'Arc.'. The task force, in concert with the U.S. Attorneys Office, worked to bring the Gentlemen Smugglers and their associates to justice. That is apparently the maximum for the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl drug charges. Methinks a killer(s) may be among those photos?! The case, dubbed "Los Banditos" by investigators, has to date resulted in the seizure of nearly 11 kilograms (24 pounds) of methamphetamine, 584 grams (1.3 pounds) of cocaine, approximately $63,000 in cash, and over 20 firearms in South Carolina, according to the attorney general. Her son, Adam, fell victim to the drug. COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- Officials with the FBI Columbia field office and Columbia Violent Gang Task Force say nine individuals face drug trafficking charges. Sergeant Forsberg gave and dedicated everything he had to his family, friends, coworkers, and the community.. Politics. . After brief attempts at college, first at Newberry College and then at USC, Barry began selling marijuana in Five Points. South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. It is a drop in the bucket. The defendants, mostly from South Carolina, were traced to alleged narcotics operations through a 'paper trail' of bank drafts, passports and other documents. In college at the University of South Carolina, Les was known to take his dates to the roof of Cornell Arms to smoke marijuana and enjoy the sunset. The cartel we believe is primarily involved in this is La Familia," Homeland Security Deputy Special Agent Mike Prado said. Law enforcement says the people arrested for this crime will face 15 years in prison. 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. For those who want the full story of this local legend, Jackpot is a something-for-everyone kind of tale. 4-day drug sweep nets 19 arrests in Hampton County Just after the first trial, a man did just that. SLED agent Robert Stewart and Bart Daniel also traveled to Australia while the case was being appealed.