Local Authorities, DEA Bust Major Drug Operation

A 16-month narcotics investigation by the Greenville County Sheriff's Office, Greenville Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has busted a major drug ring and resulted in the arrests Tuesday of four Greenville suspects, the GCSO announced.

Tuesday's arrests bring the total of people arrested so far to six, but more arrests are expected as the joint investigation continues, according to deputies.

The investigation stems from the October 2011 arrest of Tony Carnell Wakefield and the seizure of 5 kilos of cocaine and 53 pounds of marijuana at the FedEx Service Center at 845 Mauldin Road, deputies said.

Following the seizure, a joint operation among the GPD, Sheriff’s Office and DEA was launched targeting an organization allegedly trafficking cocaine and marijuana from Tijuana, Mexico, through southern California to Greenville, deputies said.

During the course of the investigation agents were able to identify the head of the organization in Greenville as James Lawrence Snowden. Investigators discovered that Snowden allegedly employed couriers to transport large amounts of U.S. currency to his drug sources in San Diego, California using commercial airlines.

In February 2012, the DEA seized $142,000 after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport discovered the money in the carry-on bags of two members of the organization — 39-year old Shannon Tekoites Davis and 30-year old Mikeshia Renee Maddox — as they were attempting to board a flight to San Diego, deputies said.  

On November 27, 2012, Snowden was arrested on federal drug charges in Greenville after being indicted by a grand jury in California.  

On March 5, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Greenville Police Department arrested Davis and Maddox, along with 50-year old Billie Joyce Glenn and 24-year old Renee Ann Wakefield in connection with the alleged drug ring.

Davis, Maddox, Glenn and Wakefield, all from Greenville, have been charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine (400 grams or more) and one count of transporting monetary instruments derived from unlawful drug activity. 

Upon their arrest each suspect was transported to the Greenville County Detention Center where they were given a $70,000 bond. Davis and Glenn have since posted bond and been released, deputies said.