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. 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. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina announced today that all 30 have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in federal court. 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. Wilson said that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with local law enforcement, began making arrests as part of this investigation on Tuesday. This organization was identified by local law enforcement as a priority target in connection with violent crime and overdoses in the area. 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. 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. Fox News Audrey Conklin contributed to this report. For more information about our use of cookies, our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information generally, and any rights you may have to access, delete, or opt out of the sale of your personal information, please view our Privacy Policy. Los Banditos operation nets multiple arrests . They face up to 15 years in prison, the maximum for possession with the intent to distribute. We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. Updated October 21, 2022 8:37 AM. 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. Have a question about Government Services? Prado also indicated Interstate 85 in South Carolina was a major pipeline for trafficking. This investigation is yet another example of aggressive use of the state grand jury and investigative techniques to combat gangs and drug trafficking.. 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. One of them was married to one of the cartel members," Wilson said. The crash . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. Greenville:(864) 282-2100 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The investigation focused on a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, and Oconee counties. 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 . 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. Will we know who won the $747M Powerball jackpot? The U.S. Attorney's 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 . A Year Later Many Companies Cant, or Wont. The York County Sheriffs Office revealed the details of the investigation during a Monday press conference attended by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. The investigation was a multi-year, collaborative effort by several local, state and federal agencies including the Horry County Police Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, United States Marshals Service and the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office. South Carolina partnered with Georgia and federal authorities to make the drug bust. The defendants in these cases were all participants in this drug conspiracy. An official website of the United States government. 18, 2022 at 8:54 AM PDT | Updated: May. 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. Drug trafficking and violence are not distant cousins," Wilson said. We do not give them cell phones. He described the cartel as well-known and very violent organization. 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. Additionally, some of the defendants have been charged with various firearms offenses. Legal Statement. "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. Were seeing people who are incarcerated continue their criminal ways behind bars," SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said.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. The cooperation with our Upstate partners both local and federal was particularly successful in this case, and this office looks forward to continuing to synch its efforts with the hard work and expertise of all the agencies involved. Feds bust drug ring spanning from CSRA to Caribbean By Staff Published: Nov. 8, 2022 at 12:31 PM PST STATESBORO, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A newly unsealed federal indictment charges nearly three. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. They go hand and glove together. South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Myth? As with anyone accused of committing any crime, all defendants connected to this investigation are considered innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system or until such time as they may wish to enter some form of allocution in connection with a plea agreement with prosecutors related to any of the charges that may be filed against them. "Theres much more volume flowing into our communities. 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. Six people have been charged in a major drug bust in South Carolina. Stirling says this would allow them to track the cellphones inside the prisons and shut them off. For more information about our use of cookies, our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information generally, and any rights you may have to access, delete, or opt out of the sale of your personal information, please view our, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Legal Statement. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. $1.5M WORTH OF DRUGS SEIZED FROM VACANT SEATTLE APARTMENT. Florence:(843) 665-6688. 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. Kilos of meth, cocaine and heroin were seized in the bust and 34 people are charged . The use of contraband cell phones is an issue the State Department of Corrections said is growing. All rights reserved. Deputies said he used multiple contraband cell phones to coordinate the illegal activity while he was in jail. Copyright 2022 WHNS. Someone in NC won $2M in Saturdays Powerball drawing, Swing State with Mark Walker & Odell Cleveland, Here are NCs proposed rules for medical marijuana, NC medical marijuana bill sees stronger odds of passing, These are the countries that have banned TikTok. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Hungry? The attorney general's office said a "substantial portion" of the drugs seized in Atlanta were intended for South Carolina. He said the street value of the more than 1,000 kilos of methamphetamine seized by law enforcement is over $75 million. 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. These defendants received the following sentences: Copyright 2022 WMBF. This case illustrates the results that are possible when federal, state, and local agencies work together toward a common goal.. 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. Bill would get rid of the Democratic Party in Fla. Masked Proud Boys spark petition to NC sheriff, Robinson: NC is destination state for death, Thomas Martens, Molly Corbett trial moved to Forsyth, Some fear Nazi banners, power grid attack connected, Video about NC substation attack shared in Md plot, FBI offering $25k for info for NC substation attacks, NC bill would make substation attacks felony, Baseball could take over broadcasting of 17 teams, Arrest warrants issued for projected NFL draft pick, Panthers to meet with QB Derek Carr: Sources, Whats coming to NC in Mar.? While he was in jail was a major pipeline for trafficking possession with intent! 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