Latest news with #CarlRitchie
Int'l Business Times
2 days ago
- General
- Int'l Business Times
Dozens Arrested in South Carolina Nightclub Raid Tied to Alleged Los Zetas Cartel Member
A nightclub allegedly operated by a member of the Los Zetas cartel was raided over the weekend in Summerville, South Carolina, resulting in nearly 80 arrests. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detailed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted an operation after receiving a tip about "The Alamo," an illegal underground nightclub located roughly 25 miles northwest of Charleston. Authorities said the club was a hub for weapons, narcotics, and human trafficking. The raid, dubbed "Operation Last Stand," took place around 3 a.m. on June 1 and involved approximately 200 federal, state and local law enforcement officers. Officials said 66 of those arrested were in the United States illegally, and five had outstanding criminal warrants. Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie and Cardell Morant, special agent in charge at Homeland Security Investigations, held a press conference following the raid. Ritchie stated that two of those arrested were believed to be "high-level cartel members" with ties to both the Los Zetas cartel and the Tren de Aragua gang. Authorities expect the number of individuals tied to gangs to increase as the investigation continues. Officials did not release the identities of the alleged cartel members or disclose the extent of their involvement in criminal operations. 🚨A Mexican illegal alien and member of a violent cartel was arrested by @ICEgov agents in Charleston. This arrest underscores our commitment to protecting communities from transnational criminal threats. — HSI Charlotte (@HSI_Charlotte) June 2, 2025 Among those arrested was Sergio Joel Galo-Baca, a Honduran national living in the country illegally. He was subject to an active Interpol Red Notice for homicide in his home country, officials said. During the operation authorities seized firearms, cocaine and an "unknown controlled substance" in addition to a large quantity of "bulk currency," ABC News 4 reported. Four vehicles were also seized for drug-related offenses and are awaiting search warrants. Additionally, ten youths between the ages of 13 and 21 were removed from the club and returned to their parents. Authorities believe some of them may be victims of human trafficking and were handed over to state social services for protection and care Law enforcement officials said the nightclub's owner and primary operator was identified as Benjamin Reyna-Flores. He was arrested and booked into the Charleston County jail. Reyna-Flores faces multiple charges, including unlawful storage and transportation of alcoholic liquors, illegal sale and manufacturing of alcohol, and sales to an unlicensed person. His bond was set at $4,715. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court later this month. "The successful operation that took place in the Charleston area resulted in more than 70 arrests of illegal aliens — including an international murder suspect — and the dismantling of a nightclub run by a suspected cartel member where drug, weapon, and human trafficking were taking place," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. "Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, fugitives and lawbreakers are on notice: Leave now, or ICE will find you and deport you." Originally published on Latin Times
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
14 agencies carry out targeted sting operation on unsanctioned nightclub, arresting ‘high-level' cartel members
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Federal, state, and local agencies carried out a targeted sting operation at an unsanctioned nightclub in Ladson. 14 agencies approached The Alamo around 3 a.m. on June 1, as part of 'Operation Last Stand.' These include the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and more. Sheriff Carl Ritchie said they have been monitoring the club since November 2024. 'This particular location has been a source of a lot of disruption, crime, assaults, drug dealing etc. going on in that particular area,' said Ritchie. 116 criminal and immigration warrants were served to 80 people. There over 60 people believed to be in the country illegally, who were detained. The multi-agency effort allowed for the arrest of two high-level cartel members and an international murder suspect wanted by Interpol. Governor Henry McMaster said this is why he believes stricter border policies are necessary. 'One way it happened is when you don't have strong law enforcement, this is what happens. When particularly, in these cases now, that we're going to have now and for years to come when we have illegal immigration,' McMaster said. 'People with criminal backgrounds, people that bet on causing trouble that are recognized – some as terrorists, that are allowed to come through a completely open border. This is what you get.' The governor added this operation was an example of a coordinated approach of these agencies working to enforce the laws under President Donald Trump. With over 200 patrons in the building, law enforcement also discovered seven people believed to be human trafficking victims and a missing juvenile. Officials said there were 10 underage minors in the building, with the youngest of them being 13 years old. Additionally, Charleston County code enforcement has shut down the unlicensed club. 'I'm very proud of what agencies did in that operation. I was there, very long day, but I was with them to see what these men and women do and supported them,' the sheriff said. 'I'm very proud we got this type of element out of our community. We made it safe for some of our young people and we're going to continue working on that.' Enrique Grace, president of the Charleston Hispanic Association, told News 2 he is grateful for the transparency from CCSO. 'The Hispanic community is applauding what happened. The Hispanic community and the immigrant community doesn't want criminals in their backyard, that's kind of why they left the country – they are coming here. We applaud what happened, that place has been around for a long time, I guess nobody knew what was going on in there. We're pretty happy that the bad guys are off the street,' Grace said. This is an ongoing investigation. Those with information about The Alamo are encouraged to call 803-896-7400. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
80 arrests made at South Carolina nightclub, result of SLED sting operation
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WSAV) — Multiple law enforcement agencies arrested 80 people at a nightclub in Charleston County, S.C. early Sunday morning after a months-long sting operation. Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said the investigation, called 'Operation Last Stand,' into the Alamo Nightclub began last November. He described the club as a source of crime, assaults and drug dealing. In a media conference Monday, Sheriff Ritchie talked about some of the 80 people who were arrested. 'Of those were two high level cartel members that were arrested, including those that were with the Las Vegas cartel and from the Tren de Aragua gang, so again, these are folks that have affiliations. There are others that we're looking into right now, checking their affiliations, and we believe that number may grow.' The extensive sting resulted in more than just local arrests. Sheriff Ritchie said, 'There was one international warrant, a murder suspect warrant that was served and located an individual from Honduras wanted for murder by Interpol. Let me say that again. We had a murder suspect from Honduras in this club.' The sheriff said the Alamo Nightclub was, quote, 'an unlicensed, unsanctioned bar' where IDs were not checked. He also said they found ten juveniles in the club. 'Our youngest that was removed from that situation was 13 years old – 13. What were they doing there at 3 o'clock in the morning – after 3 o'clock in the morning?' One of the juveniles recovered had been reported missing. The sheriff said a number of human trafficking victims were removed from the club as well and were being assisted. The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Homeland Security and ICE agents worked on the investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Law enforcement to urge SC law makers to pass bill that could quickly identify adults accused of child sexual abuse-related crimes
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – State and local law enforcement and legislators will hold a news conference Wednesday urging state lawmakers to pass the Administrative Subpoena Bill. If the bill becomes law, it is designed to speed up the progress of identifying adults who share or download child sexual abuse material. It has been passed by the South Carolina House and Senate; however, both bodies must agree on a final version before it heads to the governor's desk for his signature. With just days left in the session, supporters say it is critical to get the legislation passed. Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie will be among those speaking in favor of the bill during Wednesday morning's press conference at the State House. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
