18, 2022 at 10:15 AM PDT 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. High Point man arrested during SWAT Team drug bust in home near school; police seize over 30 guns, trafficking amounts of drugs, around $50,000 . These defendants received the following sentences: Copyright 2022 WMBF. They are all outside where he is contacting other folks to do this, said Barry Barnette, Seventh Circuit Solicitor. The investigation originated with good ol fashioned neighborhood crime detection, Waters said. Legal Statement. Solicitor Barnette said the issues stretch far beyond the Upstate. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. All rights reserved. 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. 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.. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. According to The State newspaper: 11 Miami area men were rescued 50 to 60 miles off the coast near St. Helena Sound. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Additionally, some of the defendants have been charged with various firearms offenses. They also make the criminal aware that law enforcement will always pursue illegal operations that effect the safety of our citizens. If you engage in this illicit type of activity, drug trafficking, youre going to eventually get busted and were going to put you away, Wilson said. All rights reserved. This investigation is yet another example of aggressive use of the state grand jury and investigative techniques to combat gangs and drug trafficking.. 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. Search arrest records and find latests mugshots and bookings for Misdemeanors and Felonies. The York County Sheriffs Office revealed the details of the investigation during a Monday press conference attended by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. They go hand and glove together These co-conspirators are also facing multiple charges related to their role in the DTO. Also participating in the Los Banditos investigation were the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Pickens County sheriffs office, the Anderson County sheriffs office, the Spartanburg County sheriffs office, the Easley, S.C. police department and the S.C. National Guard counter-drug task force. Published: Nov. 15, 2022 at 8:29 AM PST GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Greenville County Sheriff's Office announced multiple drugs and guns were seized after a multi-jurisdictional. Will we know who won the $747M Powerball jackpot? 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. Updated: 8:44 PM EDT March 29, 2022. GREENVILLE, S.C. . 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. Theyre getting cell phones, electronic means to contact people outside. 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 . 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. Updated: 9:06 PM EDT October 24, 2022 YORK COUNTY, S.C. The York County Sheriff's Office held a news conference Monday morning to discuss a years-long investigation into a drug trafficking. A substantial portion of those seized drugs were allegedly intended for South Carolina, a statement from the attorney generals office noted. 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. (This) office and SLED are committed to fight the corrosive effect drug trafficking has on our communities, Wilson said in a statement. Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. 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. Official websites use .gov The upstate has become a hub," Wilson said at a press conference. Shandon Paige Hammett, 34 years old, is currently in the Spartanburg County detention facility. The organization was based in the Cedar Branch area of Horry County, and had ties across the state line into North Carolina. He is charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine over 400 grams. "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. Thousands of kilos of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine were pumping into Greenville County.. ", Six people have been charged in a major drug bust in South Carolina. Copyright 2022 WHNS. They believe more than 1,000 kilograms of meth, 100 kilograms of cocaine and 2 kilograms of heroin were trafficked through South Carolina by the operation. A locked padlock 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Myth? She is charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine over 400 grams. Its been a problem throughout the state of South Carolina. 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. It is much more significant," he said. 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. 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. . The wiretap investigation was quarterbacked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in concert with the other agencies, who offered comments on the successful operation: FBI Special Agent in Charge Susan Ferensic, This latest sentencing signifies the end of this drug organization. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. According to the Oconee County Sheriff's Office, deputies were seeking 33 suspects with arrest warrants based on controlled purchases of narcotics by undercover operators working at the direction. 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. 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. In addition to the statewide grand jury and SLED, the office of S.C. thirteenth circuit solicitor Walt Wilkins was involved in the operation. The Sheriffs Office said over the past year and a-half, deputies continued their ongoing investigation of individuals who are trafficking large quantities of meth and heroin into Oconee County, as well as the distribution of controlled substances, including fentanyl and carfentanil. Nine indicted in Oconee Co. Operation Rocket Fuel drug bust, Trafficking meth 400 grams or more conspiracy, Possession of a schedule III controlled substance (Buprenorphine), Possession of a schedule IV controlled substance (Alprazolam), Possession of a firearm during commission of or attempt to commit a violent crime, Trafficking heroin greater than 28 grams (Conspiracy), Distribution of a narcotic schedule II controlled substance (Carfentanil), Trafficking methamphetamine 400 grams or more (Conspiracy), Distribution of narcotic schedule II controlled substance (Fentanyl), Possession of schedule III controlled substance (Buprenorphine and Naloxone), Trafficking methamphetamine 100-200 grams, Trafficking methamphetamine 400 grams or more, Possession of scheduled III controlled substance (Buprenorphine and Naloxone), Possession of a firearm during commission or attempt to commit a violent crime, Trafficking heroin 28 grams or more (Conspiracy), 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, Judge to hear pending motions in Murdaugh case Friday, kelli.radcliff@foxcarolina.com - 864-213-2103. 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. They face up to 15 years in prison, the maximum for possession with the intent to distribute. Leave Russia? The South Carolina Attorney Generals Office released photos of drugs, weapons and cash seized amid the investigation. Fifteenth Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson told WMBF News a couple of weeks ago that Operation Broken Branch is a perfect example of how federal, state and local agencies worked together to bring down a criminal organization and help make the communities feel safer. 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. 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. Slideshow. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. He said both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. According to the Sheriffs Office, deputies worked with the Clemson Police Department to seize the following in Mauldin. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. According to Creighton Waters (above) chief attorney of the statewide grand jury the Los Banditos investigation began in 2018. Market data provided by Factset. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. These defendants are allegedly living among Jalisco New Generation Cartel members and sourcing drugs directly from the Cartel. 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. More than two dozen people were charged by a grand jury in connection with the bust. 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. A South Carolina sheriffs office has concluded a one-year investigation into a major drug operation that saw them seizing enough fentanyl to kill around 15 million people. "When you look at the I-85 corridor from Charlotte to Atlanta, obviously its an artery for this type of illicit activity.. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Published: Aug. 7, 2022 at 5:52 PM PDT. Updated: 8:03 PM EDT May 5, 2022 GREENWOOD, S.C. A joint operation in one South Carolina county has ended with a major drug bust with pills counted in the hundreds and raw drugs measured in . Investigators said Finch, Huckabees wife, allegedly helped him distribute drugs while he was behind bars. This was a very large scale organized drug operation that allegedly was trafficking kilograms of drugs every week into Greenville County, Wilkins said in a statement. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? Fentanyl seized by York County Sheriff's deputies. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A Year Later Many Companies Cant, or Wont. Pictures: Fentanyl, meth, LSD, mushrooms, pot, 15 guns seized from South Carolina home. 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