The use of contraband cell phones is an issue the State Department of Corrections said is growing. 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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. I want to thank our law enforcement partners who all played a vital role in bringing this case to a successful closure. (York County Sheriff's Office). The owners of Los Primos on West Parker Road were trafficking drugs out of the restaurant and through taco trucks as well, investigators said. Copyright 2022 WHNS. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Greenville:(864) 282-2100 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. 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. 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.. Slideshow. Investigators said Finch, Huckabees wife, allegedly helped him distribute drugs while he was behind bars. This is a great win for the citizens of Greenville County and these numerous arrests will have an immediate and direct impact upon the citizens of Greenville County and neighboring counties., In his remarks at the press conference, Wilkins added that the influx of drugs into the Upstate was at the highest level that Ive ever seen it., RELATED | S.C. Democrats: Cocaine Is A Helluva Drug. Constantly updated. "When you look at the I-85 corridor from Charlotte to Atlanta, obviously its an artery for this type of illicit activity.. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. The Sumter County Sheriff's Office announced a large drug bust that took place during a search warrant at a residence in the 1300 block . Defendant Michael Pardi allegedly fled last month, according to Wilson. Theyre getting cell phones, electronic means to contact people outside. This operation dismantled a violent criminal enterprise, put its members behind bars, and made communities in South Carolina safer, said U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis. More than two dozen people were charged by a grand jury in connection with the bust. An official website of the United States government. 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 . Charleston:(843) 727-4381 Theyre conducting drug deals, drug business just like normal.. Got a tip for a story? These are illegal cell phones that are smuggled in, flown in by drones, thrown over fences, mailed in delivery trucks, any way you can think about it, said Bryan Stirling, Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections. "Theyre twin siblings. 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. South Carolina partnered with Georgia and federal authorities to make the drug bust. They go hand and glove together. "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. Americas Next Great Speedskater Is Coming for the Dutch, Kellyanne Conway Cluelessly Trolls Fox News Live on Air, Man arrested after explosive device found in luggage at Pennsylvania airport. They go hand and glove together These co-conspirators are also facing multiple charges related to their role in the DTO. Everyone in America would be safer if Congress would pass this legislation, 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. Drug trafficking and violence are not distant cousins," Wilson said. All it takes is for the bathroom chemist to put a little too much (fentayl) into the batch and all the Narcan in the county isnt going to save you, Waters said. Market data provided by Factset. He said the street value of the more than 1,000 kilos of methamphetamine seized by law enforcement is over $75 million. Its members were supplied with controlled substances from multiple interstate sources of supply, including one with direct ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) from Jalisco, Mexico. Sixteen people were charged Friday in a major drug trafficking organization that operated out of Lancaster County, South Carolina, McCoy said. This organization was identified by local law enforcement as a priority target in connection with violent crime and overdoses in the area. All rights reserved. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. These co-conspirators would drive to Atlanta, Georgia, or other locations to pick up kilograms of methamphetamine, bring that methamphetamine to South Carolina, and distribute it in the Upstate, according to Wilson. 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. Additional information can be found on the docket of the United States District Court, Criminal Case Numbers 4:20-CR-189 and 4:20-CR-490. A locked padlock 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. 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. Stirling says this would allow them to track the cellphones inside the prisons and shut them off. Six people have been charged in a major drug bust in South Carolina. Six people have been charged in the operation: Javaris Johnson, 35; Quonzy Hope, 34; Thomas Perry, 29; Timario Gayton, 30; India Dixon, 36; and Jajuana Johnson, 32. 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. And yes, he has LOTS of hats (including that Minnesota Twins lid pictured above). These defendants are allegedly living among Jalisco New Generation Cartel members and sourcing drugs directly from the Cartel. Wilkins said the amount of drugs flowing through upstate South Carolina is at the highest level he's ever seen. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Published: Oct. 24, 2022 at 3:06 AM PDT | Updated: Oct. 24, 2022 at 6:55 AM PDT YORK COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) - The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. 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 lock ( The investigation focused on a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, and Oconee counties. According to Prado, the powerful La Familia cartel based in the Mexican state of Michoacn was linked to the Los Primos hub. "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. The South Carolina Attorney Generals Office released photos of drugs, weapons and cash seized amid the investigation. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. 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. Attorney General Wilson said that drugs in the southeast are typically trafficked across the southern border and sent to Atlanta, where they are then distributed to neighboring states. 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. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WYFF-TV. WALHALLA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Oconee County Sheriffs Office said nine suspects were indicted by a State Grand Jury in the second phase of the ongoing Operation Rocket Fuel drug trafficking conspiracy investigation. Its been a problem throughout the state of South Carolina. Fentanyl seized by York County Sheriff's deputies. Wilson announced Thursday that the South Carolina State Grand Jury has issued indictments that contain 170 charges against 43 defendants. Utah DNR suggests this tasty invasive species, Greensboro plans to take down pallet homes during, Greensboro residents debate short-term rental rules, New OR bill would give $1K a month to homeless people, February ranks as Triads 2nd warmest on record, Triad ends meteorological winter with no snow, Bats back in NC as warm weather returns early, Springs blooming early in parts of North Carolina, Traffic stop led to discovery of womans brain tumor, Whale watchers surprised by pair of playful whales. State Attorney General Alan Wilson announced grand jury indictments Wednesday against the owners of the Los Primos restaurant in Greenville, S.C. Defendant Michael Pardi allegedly fled last month, according to Wilson. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. According to Creighton Waters (above) chief attorney of the statewide grand jury the Los Banditos investigation began in 2018. COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA David Ruger, 44, of Long Beach, California, was sentenced to more than 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA Marek Cortez Brewer, Jr., 24, of Columbia, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA Patricia Ann Hemphill, 51, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison after pleading guilty relating to a multi-state drug operation out of Main Office: "Theyre twin siblings. 30 Horry County drug traffickers with ties to Mexican drug cartel sentenced in federal case, Teontric Jackson, 30, of Loris 180 months, Darrell Jackson, 48, of Myrtle Beach 120 months, Lisa Garcia, 50, of Delano, CA 120 months, Angelo Jackson, 25, of Loris 108 months, Timothy Long, 40, of Tabor City, NC 100 months, Winferd Sherman, 24, of Loris 72 months, Shaquan Hemingway, 23, of Loris 70 months, Phillip Johnson, 29, of Loris 57 months, Devante Squires, 27, of Loris 36 months, Alfredo Gore, 43, of Tabor City, NC 24 months, Bradley Griffin, 36, of Longwood, NC 22 months, Tyruss Hemingway, 21, of Loris 15 months, James Riggins, 44, of Tabor City, NC 12 months, Lateice Griffin, 30, of Longwood, NC, Montel Hyppolite, 23, of Loris, Robert Attaway, 37, of Myrtle Beach, Mildred Mann, 44, of Little River, Billie Lee Green, 60, of Loris, and Kenneth Nobles, 31, of Loris, all received sentences under a year, Deputies make arrest after 1 killed, 1 hurt in Robeson County shooting, Police investigate domestic violence incident in Myrtle Beach neighborhood, Woman rescued, charged with DUI, child endangerment after crashing into Myrtle Beach pond, wmbf-publicfile@gray.tv - (843) 839-9623. We do not give them cell phones. Evidence presented in court filings reflects that the Cedar Branch drug trafficking organization was an interstate conspiracy that was involved in the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and firearms. 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. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Stirling says federal prisons are allowed to do so, but states are not. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. This investigation is yet another example of aggressive use of the state grand jury and investigative techniques to combat gangs and drug trafficking.. 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