He described the cartel as well-known and very violent organization. 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. Huckabee and several others who are accused of taking part in the drug trafficking ring are scheduled to have their initial court appearance in April. As we said before, Myrtle Beach is not a safe haven for criminals. The South Carolina Attorney Generals Office released photos of drugs, weapons and cash seized amid the investigation. All rights reserved. March 8, 2021. 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The seizure ultimately led to multiple other arrests and the discovery of additional illegal drugs in and around Spartanburg County. 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. 18, 2022 at 8:54 AM PDT | Updated: May. Florence:(843) 665-6688. Were seeing it here in Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties in our circuit, said Barnette. Says. None of these drugs are in jail. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. 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. Witnesses testified that the 2007 shooting was a drug deal gone array.. "They were working with inmates currently residing in the Department of Corrections who were able to, through command and control and the use of cellphones, support and facilitate this drug trafficking ring. 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. 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 cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Official websites use .gov They go hand and glove together These co-conspirators are also facing multiple charges related to their role in the DTO. Deputies from the Spartanburg County Narcotics Unit, with the help of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, began investigating in March 2022. These cookies do not store any personal information. Deputies seize 15 guns, more than 2000 grams of drugs in drug bust, The Greenville County Sheriff's Office said deputies recently took part in a multi-jurisdictional investigation that resulted in the seizure of the items, 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, kelli.radcliff@foxcarolina.com - 864-213-2103. Published: May. 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. 1441 Main Street Suite 500 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. Bond hearings for several of these defendants were held on Monday, May 16, 2022 in the virtual courtroom of S.C. circuit court judge Alison Lee. 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 prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. 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. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. 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. Fox News Audrey Conklin contributed to this report. Slideshow. $1.5M WORTH OF DRUGS SEIZED FROM VACANT SEATTLE APARTMENT. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. This major drug trafficking ring was anything but unbelievable, said Solicitor Walt Wilkins. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children. Search arrest records and find latests mugshots and bookings for Misdemeanors and Felonies. Court filings show the Cedar Branch drug trafficking organization was an interstate conspiracy that distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, meth and firearms. Numerous law enforcement agencies have assisted in the Los Banditos operation including the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Deputies said he used multiple contraband cell phones to coordinate the illegal activity while he was in jail. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. Its been a problem throughout the state of South Carolina. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. with the help of the South Carolina Department . 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. Each agency brings unique assets to the table that enhances their ability for success. He said the street value of the more than 1,000 kilos of methamphetamine seized by law enforcement is over $75 million. Per the DEA, just two milligrams could be potentially fatal, meaning that the deputies discovered enough fentanyl to kill approximately 15 million people. 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. Pictures: Fentanyl, meth, LSD, mushrooms, pot, 15 guns seized from South Carolina home. 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. All rights reserved. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina, Thirty Horry County Gang Members and Drug Trafficking Associates with Ties to Mexican Drug Cartel Sentenced in Federal Court, California Man Sentenced to More than Seven Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Columbia Man Affiliated with Street Gang Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms and Drug Offenses, Rock Hill Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Involvement in Fentanyl Distribution Ring, Thirty Horry County Gang Members and Drug Trafficking Associates With Ties To Mexican Drug Cartel Sentenced In Federal Court, 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. Wilson said that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with local law enforcement, began making arrests as part of this investigation on Tuesday. 1 cause of death for American adults between the ages of 18 and 45 last year. I want to thank our law enforcement partners who all played a vital role in bringing this case to a successful closure. ", Six people have been charged in a major drug bust in South Carolina. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Legal Statement. The SCDC says it's called on the FCC to allow state facilities to jam cellphones. 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 . All rights reserved. The men claimed to have been rescued by The Waterworld and Miss Kathy boats. Huckabee is accused of leading the distribution ring of more than 5,200 grams of meth and nearly 100 grams of marijuana. She is charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine over 400 grams. 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. 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. They have 24/7 365 to think of ways to get it in," Stirling said. 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. 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