The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. According to the Florence County Sheriffs Office, it all started when deputies stopped a vehicle for speeding on Interstate 95 on Monday. Thousands of grams of cocaine, and hundreds of grams of meth and marijuana were also found, along with four firearms. South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services Director Sara Goldsby said they keep a close eye on this data. Stirling says federal prisons are allowed to do so, but states are not. COLUMBIA, SC Twelve people were arrested in South Carolina this week on federal drug trafficking charges. According to the Florence County Sheriff's Office, it all started when deputies . Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Goldsby said she is worried about the longterm impacts the pandemic will have. This data does not include non-fatal overdoses where an individual went directly to a hospital, or fatal overdoses without EMS involvement. March 8, 2021 South Carolina prosecutors have announced its biggest drug bust in state history, with 100 defendants facing nearly 500 charges. Simpson and Kravitz are each charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, and were both arraigned in Claverack Town Court. On Wednesday, deputies and parole officers arrested 42-year-old Ashawn Abbott of Chatham after allegedly finding him with 17.5 grams of marijuana. The owner of multiple businesses in the Five Points shopping and entertainment district in downtown Columbia, South Carolina - and the former vice president of its influential neighborhood association - was arrested along with a relative last week on multiple drug charges. Columbia SC drug bust lands meth, heroin, fentanyl; 6 arrested - The State Chromebooks are excellent alternatives to traditional laptops and have built-in security software. Heavy amount of drug busts take place over 2 weeks in Upstate The full list of defendants and the charges they each face can be found here. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. 6-month investigation ends in Columbia County drug busts, Here are your picks for the Best of the Capital Region 2023. DHEC said preliminary EMS data through their Law Enforcement Officer Naloxone (LEON) and firefighter Reducing Opioid Loss of Life (ROLL) programs report 949 Narcan administrations for suspected overdoses statewide in 2020, as of Dec. 22. SCDC Inmates Darrell Foster McCoy Jr. a/k/a DJ, and Matthew David McCoy have been involved in drug trafficking since 2011, Wilson said. In addition to. The York County sheriff provided more information Monday on a huge drug bust. News FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation Bobby Brazell said its been a tough year for people in recovery like himself. CLICK HERE. According to court records, beginning in July 2018 . Drug crime charges and drug busts in South Carolina are very serious. We need to bring awareness to this issue, that drug dealers are not dealing drugs anymore. Stirling says this would allow them to track the cellphones inside the prisons and shut them off. 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. 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. They have 24/7 365 to think of ways to get it in," Stirling said. Roberts says Adam thought he was taking Xanax for his anxiety but ended up with enough fentanyl in his system to kill four people. When I saw the address come up we knew people that used to live on that road. Attorney General Alan Wilson said a joint investigation in the Upstate called Los Banditos alleges much of the drug trafficking was run and facilitated by the owners of the Los Primos restaurant located in Greenville, near an elementary school. Lets Eat at Azalea Bistro in Saluda, N.C. Study Reveals Differences Between Millennial and, Lets Eat at Tuk Tuk Thai and Vietnamese Kitchen, 5 brands that consistently make great Chromebooks, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day. But these moms believe getting some of the big fish off the street could save the lives of many. 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. Authorities identified the driver as 34-year-old Sheldon Alexander. 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. Patty Roberts is not mincing her words when speaking on fentanyl. Last week, deputies seized over 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. The Canal. Prominent Columbia restaurateur arrested on drug possession charges 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. While South Carolina has long lobbied Congress to pass the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act, which would allow state prison systems to jam cellphone signals, the act has never received a hearing.Everyone in America would be safer if Congress would pass this legislation, Stirling said.Judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for twenty-three of the 32 defendants who were arrested. 43 people associated with Mexican drug cartels charged in South Carolina, AG says. 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. Anyone with information on these cases or others can call the Columbia County confidential tip line at518-822-8477. "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. 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. Charges range from drug trafficking and weapons to burglary and kidnapping. This is absolutely the pill of death, said Patty Roberts, a mother who lost her son to a fentanyl death. 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. "I could barely move my arms and legs without help.". The sheriff added that 87 people have lost their lives to fentanyl so far in 2022. Feelings of isolation, financial issues and fears over COVID-19 could be worsening the opioid epidemic nationally and in South Carolina. Copyright 2022 WCSC. SC grand jury indicts 34 accused in 2-state drug ring - Live 5 News COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Three people are facing charges in Five Points after a search by police. According to the Florence County Sheriff's Office, it all started when deputies stopped a vehicle for speeding on Interstate 95 on Monday. "The drug enforcement unit has been very busy the past two weeks," Bart. It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and were fighting to stop it, Wilson said. Tolson said the amount of fentanyl recovered in the bust was enough to kill every person in York County. However, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture says dispensaries can sell hemp and CBD products, but permits and licenses are required to use raw hemp. First Week of October Sees Several Meth Lab Drug Busts in South Carolina Theyre dealing death: York County, S.C. state leaders speak on fentanyl bust. Deputies said Alexander was found to be out on bond and is also facing a murder charge in California. Get the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and Stream us on Roku, YouTube, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV. Thats so many kids that could have died. You didnt have any last words. 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. Chelsie Marie Anderson, Jennifer Nicole Burns, and Amy Deanna Cobb a/k/a Emma, allegedly fled to Mexico in late 2018-2020, Wilson said. Deaf man killed on Ballston road remembered as funny, loving, Lawyers to begin search for unbiased jury in Schoharie limo crash case. 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. 6 top moving destination in U.S. Rowan man charged with kidnapping ex-girlfriend, demanding ransom, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Colombia's Forces Seize $300M Worth Of Cocaine - Forbes The investigation into that apartment is continuing, and charges are expected to filed soon, the sheriff's office said. We spent a lot of time together. Six charged in drug, weapons bust | Newberry Observer 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. SC Supreme Court: Convicted killer released early must return to prison Stay up to date with WIS News 10. COLUMBIA, S.C. Columbia Police have announced several arrests tied to an investigation off of Farrow Road that stemmed from resident complaints. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. Ten of . They're accused of conspiring to traffic heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine,. District of South Carolina - United States Department of Justice Youre gonna eventually know someone this has happened to and I think Cody would be very proud of all of us for trying to help stop this problem, said Alsobrooks. 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. COLUMBIA, SC (WSPA) According to data from DHEC, suspected drug overdoses are up 49% in South Carolina compared to this time last year. District of South Carolina | Six Additional Defendants Arrested in Columbia police say they found 20 pounds of real marijuana at a CBD Law enforcement says the people arrested for this crime will face 15 years in prison. News of these arrests was first sent to our tip line early Friday morning - and FITSNews sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the city seeking information related to the arrests over the weekend. Lontre Wise gets $1 million bond for crack cocaine, marijuana | wltx.com 100 Charged In Largest Drug Bust In South Carolina History Kelly Clarkson's Home Collection Is Up to 74% Off During Way Day Deals, The Best Wayfair Way Day Deals 2023 Starting at $30, Wayfair's Way Day Sale Includes Up to 60% Off Outdoor Furniture Here's What to Shop ASAP, Amazon Has So Many Good Mother's Day Gifts on Sale Right Now. FBI Columbia: Nine indicted on drug trafficking charges Notice a spelling or grammar error in this article? 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. Specifically, "date rape" druggings which are alleged to have occurred at Sears' establishments. Six charged in drug, weapons bust. Yet our response to the opioid and fentanyl crisis is underwhelming, Tolson said. Or an issue you'd like to address proactively? Mayer Street drug bust leads to cocaine seizure in Columbia, SC | wltx.com Kravitz was taken to Columbia County jail without bail and will reappear in town court at 10 a.m. Thursday. 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. Detectives will test all confiscated items in the SLED lab. Curiously, though, police did not immediately say what type of drug Jonathan Sears allegedly possessed/ intended to distribute. Stories About Drug Bust - CBS Baltimore The 34-year-old was booked into the Florence County Detention Center. Click or tap here to report it. 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.. So both were allegedly dealing marijuana, right? Wilson announced Thursday that the South Carolina State Grand Jury has issued indictments that contain 170 charges against 43 defendants. This was a year-long investigation that resulted in the arrests of six people. The department said on Friday that a narcotics. 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. All rights reserved. It happened around 3 p.m. on Friday at a home on Mayer Street. Defendant Michael Pardi allegedly fled last month, according to Wilson. 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. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? 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. 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. 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.