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. 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. 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. Each of the defendants pleaded guilty to one of two indictments that collectively contained 72 counts of violations of federal law ranging from drug conspiracy and firearms violations to using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking. A locked padlock 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. 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. Authorities said the organization had ties across the state line into North Carolina and one of its supply sources had direct ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Mexico. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The seizure ultimately led to multiple other arrests and the discovery of additional illegal drugs in and around Spartanburg County. 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. 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. 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. 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. Each of the defendants pleaded guilty to one of two indictments that contained 72 total charges, which ranged from drug conspiracy to firearms violations. 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: In remarks at the press conference, Mike Prado resident agent in charge for DHS investigatory wing called the Los Banditos operation a major win not just for the agencies involved but for the people of South Carolina., Prado added the arrests connected to the sting were a significant blow to a transnational criminal organization.. 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. He described the cartel as well-known and very violent organization. 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. This major drug trafficking ring was anything but unbelievable, said Solicitor Walt Wilkins. One of them was married to one of the cartel members," Wilson said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Chelsie Marie Anderson, Jennifer Nicole Burns, and Amy Deanna Cobb a/k/a Emma, allegedly fled to Mexico in late 2018-2020, Wilson said. The owners of Los Primos on West Parker Road were trafficking drugs out of the restaurant and through taco trucks as well, investigators said. Shonda Michelle Finch, 45 years old, is currently in the Department of Corrections. In addition to the statewide grand jury and SLED, the office of S.C. thirteenth circuit solicitor Walt Wilkins was involved in the operation. Police Seize Nearly 2,000 Fentanyl Pills in Drug Bust - CN2 News Police Seize Nearly 2,000 Fentanyl Pills in Drug Bust ROCK HILL, S.C. (CN2 NEWS) - A Rock Hill man is now behind bars after a recent drug bust where nearly 2,000 Fentanyl pills and more were seized. . Drug trafficking and violence are not distant cousins," Wilson said. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children. Shandon Paige Hammett, 34 years old, is currently in the Spartanburg County detention facility. 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. "When you look at the I-85 corridor from Charlotte to Atlanta, obviously its an artery for this type of illicit activity.. Deputies said he used multiple contraband cell phones to coordinate the illegal activity while he was in jail. "Folks, if this was a bag full of terrorists, if this was anthrax, our response would be overwhelming," Young County Sheriff Kevin Tolson said. Waters also echoed statements made by SLED chief Mark Keel about the dangers of illicit drug use in the current fentanyl-driven marketplace. 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. There are about 150 overdose deaths per day in the United States. None of these drugs are in jail. (York County Sheriff's Office). 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.. Kimberly Dawn Neal, 33 years old, is currently in the Spartanburg County detention facility. Its something he hopes will soon be put to an end. Defendant Michael Pardi allegedly fled last month, according to Wilson. He said both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. The wiretap investigation into the Cedar Branch organization was led by the FBI alongside other agencies. 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. I want to thank our law enforcement partners who all played a vital role in bringing this case to a successful closure. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. He said defendant Marcy Dawn Vickers allegedly fled in 2022, and defendant Kelli Edwards allegedly fled in October 2022. Wilson said that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with local law enforcement, began making arrests as part of this investigation on Tuesday. 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. The cartel we believe is primarily involved in this is La Familia," Homeland Security Deputy Special Agent Mike Prado said. He is charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine over 400 grams. 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 . HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Henderson County Sheriff's Office has arrested dozens of people after a drug bust involving six houses. Each agency brings unique assets to the table that enhances their ability for success. Chelsie Marie Anderson, Jennifer Nicole Burns, and Amy Deanna Cobb a/k/a Emma, allegedly fled to Mexico in late 2018-2020, Wilson said. During the traffic stop, deputies said 2,004.8 grams of methamphetamine was seized. Will Folksis the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. The hard work and dedication of the Greenville drug enforcement unit, SLED, and the South Carolina state grand jury has significantly decreased the availability of drugs in the Greenville community and arrested some of its worst drug dealers. 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