"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. COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) Multiple arrests have been made after a drug bust in Columbia. Florence County authorities said the cocaine had an estimated street value of around $9 million. 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. Everyone in America would be safer if Congress would pass this legislation, Stirling said. Stirling says federal prisons are allowed to do so, but states are not. One of the guns was reported stolen from a Columbia County home and the other was defaced, deputies said. In January of this year, reporter Kailey Cota of The Daily Gamecock - the student newspaper for The University of South Carolina - reported that multiple students and other Five Points patrons reported "being illegally drugged at Cotton Gin, Pavlov's Bar and Jake'sduring the fall 2020 semester. And for those people out there who use drugs recreationally, dont always assume that what youre getting isnt going to be laced with something that can kill you.. but must have a THC concentration of 0.3. This content is imported from YouTube. Las Banditos involved multiple agencies, local, state and federal, led to the indictments, along with the seizure of approximately $825,000 of methamphetamines, $70,000 of cocaine, approximately $63,000 in cash and more than 20 firearms. 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. With that being said, typically, drugs come across the United States southern border and are then transported to Atlanta, Georgia, which is the major drug hub for the southeast region of the United States, Wilson said. The Supreme Court said Jeroid Price must . Topline. Press Release. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Three people are facing charges in Five Points after a search by police. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Columbia Police Chief W. H. Skip Holbrook said the store manager, 32-year-old Connie Jackson, has been arrested. Drug trafficking and violence are not distant cousins," Wilson said. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. Complaints of drug activity ultimately led to the investigation by the Columbia Police Department's Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit. April 4, 2023 . COLUMBIA, S.C. State prosecutors have charged 100 people in what they said Monday was the largest number of defendants ever indicted in one drug operation in South Carolina courts. According to arrest records, 33-year-old Geoffrey Sears was charged with manufacturing marijuana while 39-year-old Jonathan Sears was charged with possession with intent to distribute and a separate charge of possession with intent to distribute in close proximity to a school. The thought immediately went through my mind that I wonder if they were responsible for his death, said Roberts. 2 Arrested In Severn Drug Bust With More Than $2K Worth Of Cocaine, Crack And Heroin Two men were arrested in a drug bust in Anne Arundel County Wednesday. 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. Or an issue you'd like to address proactively? 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. Authorities didn't specify how many people were arrested or specifically what each will be charged with but did describe one suspect as a "prolific offender.". "We continue to aggressively target anyone spreading this poison throughout our community," Sheriff David Bartlett said in a statement. Drug crime charges and drug busts in South Carolina are very serious. Drug production boomed in Colombia during the pandemic. ", Drug bust on Mayer Street in Columbia, South Carolina, Developers seek approval to build 300 new housing units in the Blythewood area, Masked, hiding behind corners: Sheriff describes actions of suspects accused of firing into crowd, Texas woman accused of abandoning her 2 children arrested in Alabama, police say, Here's how the 4 Americans abducted in Mexico were found, Person of interest in Virginia homicide behind hours-long Clarendon County hostage situation, sheriff says. Sumter Co., SC (WOLO) The Sumter County has made a major drug seizure keeping several types of illegal drugs from making their way on to the street. This multi-year operation specifically targeted members of this drug trafficking organization based on their interstate importation of large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine into South Carolina from the New York area, and their use of firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes. This was a very large scale organized drug operation that allegedly was trafficking kilograms of drugs every week into Greenville County, 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins said. This was a year-long investigation that resulted in the arrests of six people. Simpson was taken to Columbia County jail in lieu of $100,00 cash bail or $200,000 bail bond, and will reappear in town court at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. "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. Two men Timothy Simpson, 43, of Philmont andEvan Kravitz, 36, of Claverack were arrested. 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. 4. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Three people are facing charges in Five Points after a search by police. Detectives will test all confiscated items in the SLED lab. Feelings of isolation, financial issues and fears over COVID-19 could be worsening the opioid epidemic nationally and in South Carolina. He has friends that have died. On Wednesday, deputies and parole officers arrested 42-year-old Ashawn Abbott of Chatham after allegedly finding him with 17.5 grams of marijuana. Some of the cocaine seized, he said, was mixed with fentanyl. The restaurant served not only food but served as the regional hub in which cocaine and methamphetamine were allegedly trafficked throughout South Carolina and other states in our region, Wilson said. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. According to the Florence County Sheriffs Office, it all started when deputies stopped a vehicle for speeding on Interstate 95 on Monday. Especially, when it is quite literally close to home. Copyright 2022 WCSC. He is from Los Angeles and a native of Trinidad, but investigators said he is in the U.S. illegally. Yet our response to the opioid and fentanyl crisis is underwhelming, Tolson said. It happened around 3 p.m. on Friday at a home on Mayer Street. Columbia, South Carolina--- United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. announced today that a joint team of more than 200 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers arrested fourteen people who have all been charged in federal court for their roles in an alleged violent drug trafficking ring in the Midlands area of South Carolina.. Bobby Brazell said its been a tough year for people in recovery like himself. Folks, if this was a bag full of terrorists, if this was anthrax, our response would be overwhelming. According to court records, beginning in July 2018 . Updated: Dec 30, 2020 / 08:02 AM EST COLUMBIA, SC (WSPA) According to data from DHEC, suspected drug overdoses are up 49% in South Carolina compared to this time last year. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Judicial leaders show their true colors 'King Of Five Points' Arrested As Part Of Massive Drug Bust In Columbia, South Carolina, Murdaugh Murders: South Carolina Attorney General Must Step In And Remove 'Rogue' Solicitor, 'We Are Here Today To Put A Face On Injustice, South Carolinas Duplicative, Bureaucrat-Driven Approach To Suicide Prevention, Killer On The Run, Alex Murdaugh's Jail Mail, South Carolina Obesity Epidemic - Week In Review 4/29/2023, Vivek Ramaswamy Picks Up Support In South Carolina. FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) - A traffic stop turned into a major drug bust in South Carolina this week. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. They have 24/7 365 to think of ways to get it in," Stirling said. Well have so many more people who have tipped over into a substance use disorder than we would have had previously.. HUDSON The Columbia County Sheriff's Office arrested three suspected drug dealers this week after seizing drugs, cash and guns during multiple raids planned over the course of six months. "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. A South Carolina business owner and his wife were arrested after deputies seized 400 marijuana edibles. WEST COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - More arrests are expected in a drug bust that netted 22 people in a West Columbia neighborhood near a school and a park where children play. You didnt have any last words. According to the Florence County Sheriff's Office, it all started when deputies . Judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for twenty-three of the 32 defendants who were arrested. Right now, DHEC does not have data on fatal overdoses for this year, but they do keep track of the number of times the overdose reversal drug Naloxone is administered. Abbott is charged with felony criminal possession of marijuana. List: Charlotte ranked No. According to my law enforcement sources, this "ongoing investigation" has less to do with marijuana - a drug which most people in the Palmetto State (including me) believe should be legalized - and more to do with a rash of recent "date rape" druggings that allegedly occurred in the Five Points region of Columbia. Six charged in drug, weapons bust. Stay up to date with WIS News 10. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said 50-year-old Steven David Petty, of Gaffney, was. Get the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and Stream us on Roku, YouTube, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV. A large portion of those drugs are allegedly intended to be tracked over here in South Carolina.. The total area harvested for coca leaves - the main ingredient for cocaine - grew 43% in 2021 according to a new annual survey by the. Click or tap here to report it. Some of the cocaine seized, he said, was mixed with fentanyl. 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 of Crowndale Drive in Sumter. 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. CLICK HERE. Got something you'd like to say in response to one of our articles? I urge the commission to act quickly so we can stop this stop this criminal activity from being orchestrated from behind our nations state prison walls.. So it is a very robust operation that bled over into the state of Georgia, Wilson said. 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. "Narcotics agents got a tip about drug activity in the . COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)- The Lexington County Sheriff's Department says a drug bust led to the arrest of three individuals from Florida. GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)- There have been 6 separate drug busts in Greenville and Spartanburg in nearly two weeks. When the pandemic started and people were staying at home and away from loved ones they braced for increase usage of alcohol and drugs among South Carolinians. A drop in the bucket compared to whats out there, she said. Sears, 39, along with Geoffrey Sears, 33, were taken. The Canal Street home was raided last Thursday by CPD narcotics agents prior to the Sears' arrests. 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. Man out on bond found with $9M in cocaine during traffic stop, sheriffs office says, Police: 1 dead, another hurt after shooting reported at Horry County bar, Supreme Court to decide important case on government power, 4 dead in Mojave Desert community after shooting report, Man accused of holding woman at gunpoint, stealing her car, publicfile@live5news.com - (843) 402-5555. The sheriffs office said deputies had probable cause to search the car during the traffic stop and ended up finding 118 pounds of cocaine, $182,000 in cash and a gun. York County and South Carolina leaders say current state and federal laws are not strict enough to keep fentanyl off South Carolina streets so there need to be sweeping changes. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. April 4, 2023. Chelsie Marie Anderson, Jennifer Nicole Burns, and Amy Deanna Cobb a/k/a Emma, allegedly fled to Mexico in late 2018-2020, Wilson said. Hes an incredible person to me of course. One of the suspects was a manager at a CBD store. Investigators determined that over time the two-state drug ring trafficked more than $75 million in meth, $12 million in cocaine and more than $200,000 in heroin, Wilson said. Joplin Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking, Illegal Firearm. Does N.Y. already have authority to bust illegal pot shops? It was seized along with THC hash oil and edible samples. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office arrested three suspected drug dealers during the week of March 20, 2018, after seizing drugs, cash and guns during multiple raids planned over the course of six months. The Canal. 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. The case is referred to as "Prison Empire," one of the state's largest narcotics conspiracy investigations ever indicted. And hes just missed beyond words, she said. The arrests are the result of a six-month investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office andDistrict Attorney's Office, the Hudson Police Department and the state Division of Parole. According to investigators, the large drug operation trafficked in more than 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, or more than 2,200 pounds. We tallied the votes from this years Best of the Capital Region contest in 100 categories. Deputies said Alexander was found to be out on bond and is also facing a murder charge in California. The investigation into that apartment is continuing, and charges are expected to filed soon, the sheriff's office said. Notice a spelling or grammar error in this article? He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children. The full list of defendants and the charges they each face can be found here. Hemp is legal. The Executive Director for Midlands Recovery Center said, There are jokes that for people in long term recovery 2020 should count as two years sobriety instead of one., Brazell said the pandemic has made it tough to try to help people on the road to recovery struggling with substance use disorder. That was a good feeling seeing all those pills were off the street. Abbott was arraigned in Chatham Village Court and taken to Columbia County jail on $30,000 cash bail or $50,000 bail bond. March 8, 2021 South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. A substantial portion of those seized drugs were allegedly intended for South Carolina, he said. Wilson said that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with local law enforcement, began making arrests as part of this investigation on Tuesday. COLUMBIA, SC Twelve people were arrested in South Carolina this week on federal drug trafficking charges. The department said on Friday that a narcotics. Columbia police said the. 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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 . Chelsie Marie Anderson, Jennifer Nicole Burns, and Amy Deanna Cobb a/k/a Emma, allegedly fled to Mexico in late 2018-2020, Wilson said. A wall in the back of the room filled with pictures of young people in the same situation. All these kids have had other friends that have died, said Alsobrooks. COLUMBIA, S.C. Columbia Police have announced several arrests tied to an investigation off of Farrow Road that stemmed from resident complaints. State Grand Jury Division Chief Attorney Creighton Waters, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel, and representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, and law enforcement officers from Greenville and Pickens Counties, all of whom took part in the investigation, also attended the news conference. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. Thats so many kids that could have died. More details are expected to be released when the charging . Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. Access to services have been limited due to the pandemic. And fentanyl is a deadly poison. Law enforcement says the people arrested for this crime will face 15 years in prison. COLUMBIA, S.C. Columbia Police said drugs, guns, and money were seized in a recent drug bust that netted one man a hefty bond. The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. The 34-year-old was booked into the Florence County Detention Center. Last week, deputies seized over 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. Restaurant owners also allegedly operated taco trucks which they use to sell their drugs in that area.. He said both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. So far, law enforcement has only publicly said that a large amount of marijuana was discovered at a residence on Canal Street drive in Columbia, S.C. - along with cash and a firearm. GREENVILLE, S.C. . 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. That number is 1-844-724-6737. From there, they often come to South Carolina.. In addition to. Anyone with information on these cases or others can call the Columbia County confidential tip line at518-822-8477. 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