Thread: 4 Charged In Saluda, SC Bust

4 charged in Saluda bust
From staff reports
Published: Saturday, November 10, 2007 11:53 PM EST
The Saluda Police Department has made multiple arrests in connection with the sale of counterfeit music and movies.

On Friday, the Saluda Police Department -- with the assistance of undercover agents with the Recording Industry Association of America -- reportedly bought counterfeit merchandise from two stores in Saluda: The Mexican Grocery, located at 301 Batesburg Highway and owned by Sergio Torres; and the Mexicana La Providencia, located at 118 Main St. and owned by Minerva Pliego.

Search warrants were then obtained and executed with the assistance of agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the Department of Health and Environmental Control, and Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office narcotics agents.

As a result of those search warrants, authorities say they seized about $7,500 worth of counterfeit merchandise. This included 658 music CDs and MP3s, 23 DVDs, clothing, ID holders, bracelets, covers, bandannas, sports equipment and fuzzy dice.

Also seized were prescription drugs with a value estimated at $7,000, police say.

One rifle and four pistols were also taken, along with an anti-money laundering kit, according to authorities.

Sergio Torres, Antonio Torres, Minerva Pliego and Salvador Pliego were each arrested and charged with prohibitions related to sound recordings.

Sergio Torres and Minerva Pliego will also be charged with numerous counts of possession of prescription drugs without a prescription.




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Many of these Mexican groceries often act like pharmacies. This is the kind of businesses we need in this country??????

Saluda is slam full of illegals. This is a recent headline from the Greenwood Index journal.

http://www.indexjournal.com/articles/20 ... news05.txt

Authorities: 5 try to cash fake checks
From staff reports
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 12:23 AM EDT
SALUDA -- Five Hispanic men from Georgia have been arrested after attempting to cash counterfeit payroll checks in Saluda County, authorities say.

Saluda Sheriff Jason Booth said deputies were dispatched Friday to Watsonia Farms in Monetta in reference to people attempting to cash forged checks. The men left the scene and were followed to Owen’s Drug in Batesburg.

Batesburg-Leesville Police Department detained the men for questioning. While being questioned, one suspect tried to run away but was caught after a short chase. Officers found a number of checks from a Saluda County business on the suspects.

Arrested were Racendo Ramos-Rios, Francisco Merino, Julio Cesar Rosales, Rolando Cisneros-Roman and Sergio Perez. All of the suspects are from the Marietta, Ga., area. They all face charges of criminal conspiracy and forgery.

*
Booth cautioned local businesses.

“As sheriff, I encourage all businesses to use caution when cashing payroll checks and to obtain proper identification of the person cashing the checks. If there is any doubt about the authenticity of the identification documents or the check, do not cash the check.â€

According to my sources, Sheriff Booth is in cahoots with the Amick family, the ones who are primarily responsible for all the illegals in Saluda County. The Amicks own some huge farms there that employ nothing but illegals. Their profits last year exceeded 56 million dollars.

Then they are a pretty big fish and they are bound to get someones attention eventually. These illegals will continue to stumble with their lawless ways and the local press will continue to report and hopefully justice will be served. Where bouts you from Lone Protester ? I'm in Abbeville.

Johnny

Originally Posted by johnny1966

Then they are a pretty big fish and they are bound to get someones attention eventually. These illegals will continue to stumble with their lawless ways and the local press will continue to report and hopefully justice will be served. Where bouts you from Lone Protester ? I'm in Abbeville.

Johnny

I live in Lugoff, and my business is in construction, or was. I am out there every day trying to find work that isn't hardly there anymore thanks to our friendly illegals and their employers. One of these days though I am going to turn the tide around here. And don't expect the State newspaper to print very many derogatory articles on the illegal situation in Saluda County. Their last article was on the glories there of illegally betting on horse races. The Torres guy that got busted in Saluda, his brother drives an old Ford truck that has Mexican license plates on it.