Law enforcement smashes operation “Promoter”

Eight men have been arrested and one more is sought as part of a group that flooded upstate South Carolina counties with 61 kilos of cocaine. The arrests were announced this morning by Oconee Sheriff Mike Crenshaw as he stood in front of representatives of eight other law enforcement agencies that played a part in the investigation started by his office and the Seneca police two and a half years ago. The group is alleged to have trafficked cocaine and other illegal drugs in Oconee, Pickens, Anderson, and Greenville counties. On the street, 61 kilos of coke translate to a value of $6.1 million. The arrested were jailed in Richland County. Some of the eight have made bond. Crenshaw says they were indicted by the state Grand Jury, and the Attorney’s General Office will prosecute the cases. How did these men allegedly distribute the drugs? Crenshaw explains, “Some of these defendants work as promoters in the music industry helping musicians find venues and helping to promote albums and new songs being released.” Five of the eight men have Seneca addresses. One of them, Trenton Michael Thomas, was identified as the only one who has yet to be arrested.