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Operation Broken Branch targets Cedar Branch drug trafficking

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By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     Drug trafficking charges have been leveled against 26 people, most from Loris, one from Tabor City, and others from Horry and Brunswick counties in a multi-agency federal, state and local investigation that focused on the Cedar Branch area near Loris, U.S. Attorney Peter M. McCoy Jr. said during a Tuesday news conference in Conway.

     Most were in custody Tuesday, 23 of the 26 facing charges in Operation Broken Branch, a combined effort targeting violent crime in Myrtle Beach and elsewhere in Horry County, McCoy said.

     These were the first in a series of arrests expected as part of the ongoing operation.

     Court records show that the FBI launched this investigation through its Pee Dee Safe Streets Gang Task Force in conjunction with the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and Horry County Sheriff’s Office.

     Specific targets were alleged members of the drug trafficking organization accused of distributing dangerous drugs including heroin and fentanyl, and of using firearms as a part of those cases.

     Agents seized “substantial quantities of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine” during the investigation, a Department of Justice news release said. “Agents also seized more than a dozen firearms, bulk ammunition, and more than $180,000 in suspected drug proceeds.”

     These cases were investigated by the FBI, 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office DEU, Horry County Sheriff’s Office, 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Myrtle Beach Police Department, Horry County Police Department, Coastal Carolina University Police Department, Loris Police Department, Conway Police Department, North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and City of Georgetown Police Department.

     Three men still sought by law enforcement include two from Loris. Those men, the charges they face and potential prison time includes:

Loris

  • Tyshon Lamont Clifton, also known as (aka) “Rhondo, 20, conspiracy involving of heroin, up to 20 years in prison.
  • Timothy Mondal Long, aka “Black”, 38, conspiracy involving 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 100 grams or more of heroin, 10 years to life in prison. He is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a potential penalty of at least five years consecutive to any other penalty imposed.

     In custody: Those already in custody, charged for various roles in the drug trafficking operation, include individuals from Loris, Tabor City, Longs, Conway, Myrtle Beach and Longwood.

     Those from Loris and Tabor City include:

Loris

  • Mark Tyreise Jackson, aka “Ty,” 24, conspiracy involving 500 grams or more of cocaine, five to forty years in prison.
  • Teraine Lavance Green, aka “Juice,” 28, conspiracy involving cocaine base and cocaine, up to 20 years in prison.
  • Winferd Junior Sherman, aka “Dunk,” 22, conspiracy involving cocaine base and heroin, up to 20 years in prison.
  • Tremayne Tyrone Green, aka “Plies,” aka “P,”, 24, conspiracy involving heroin and fentanyl, up to 20 years in prison.
  • Phillip Jamal Johnson, aka “Foo,” 28, conspiracy involving heroin, cocaine base and cocaine, up to 20 years in prison. He is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a potential penalty of at least five years consecutive to any other penalty imposed.
  • Antra Trumaine Gore, aka “Priest,” 37, conspiracy involving heroin, cocaine base and of cocaine, up to 20 years in prison. He is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited individual, which carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
  • Angelo Tara Jackson, aka “Che Che,” 23, conspiracy involving heroin, cocaine base cocaine, up to 20 years in prison.
  • Leon Dale Green, aka “Young,” 31, conspiracy with 500 grams or more of cocaine and heroin, five to forty years in prison.
  • Teontric Saqiwina Jackson, aka “T,” 28, conspiracy with 28 grams or more of cocaine base, 100 grams or more of heroin, 500 grams or more of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, five to forty years in prison. He is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a potential penalty of at least five years consecutive to any other penalty imposed.
  • James Myers III, aka “Brix,” 31, conspiracy involving fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone, up to 20 years in prison. He is also charged with unlawful possession of firearm by a prohibited individual, which carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a potential penalty of at least five years consecutive to any other penalty imposed.
  • Devante Jaquan Squires, aka “Buddy Ro,” 25, conspiracy involving heroin, cocaine base, and cocaine, up to 20 years in prison.
  • Shaquan Taereek Hemingway, aka “Obe,” 22, conspiracy involving heroin and cocaine, up to 20 years in prison.
  • Tyruss Kendrez Hemingway, aka “OT,” aka “Macc,” 19, conspiracy involving heroin and cocaine, up to 20 years in prison.
  • Alfredo Gore, aka “AG,” 41, conspiracy with 100 grams or more of heroin, cocaine base, and cocaine, five to forty years in prison.
  • Byron James Jackson, aka “B,” 27, conspiracy with 100 grams or more of heroin, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and cocaine base, five to forty years in prison.

Tabor City

  • James Gomilous Riggins, aka “Scooby,” 43, conspiracy with 500 grams or more of cocaine, five to forty years in prison.

 More

    Look for more on this story, and the complete list of those charged, in Wednesday’s Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.

Posted in News, Upfront News