Ariail: Ludwig case doesn’t define him

Former prosecutor hopes started Greenville County's drug court

JANUARY 21, 2011 11:25 a.m. (0)

Former 13th Circuit Solicitor Bob Ariail knows he’ll be remembered for John Ludwig, the case that produced controversy and protests during the final months of his 14-year tenure as Greenville County’s top prosecutor.

Ludwig, a Greenville businessman, received probation for driving his Maserati through a man’s house and killing him.

Ariail hopes instead to be remembered for starting Greenville County’s drug court, for improving the quality of lawyers in the solicitor’s office and for pursuing justice in each case.  Continue reading...

 

Designer drugs a growing poisoning threat

Poison Center sees spike in calls during summer

JULY 7, 2011 11:52 a.m. (0)

To the stings, snakebites and bad deviled eggs of summer add another concern – new designer drugs that can have horrific health effects, officials at the University of South Carolina’s Palmetto Poison Center warn.

“I’m almost reluctant to talk about these designer drugs,” said Christina Derienvo, education coordinator with the poison center. “Part of me, as a mom, doesn’t want to put too much knowledge out there out of a fear more kids will use them if they know about them.”

She said the center sees a spike in the traditional poisoning sources during the summer months; the stings, snakebites and usual suspects that come with more outside activity during warmer weather.  Continue reading...

 

‘Bath salts’ latest trend in drug abuse

Legally-sold product is more dangerous than any illegal drug except meth

OCTOBER 7, 2011 10:54 a.m. (9)

Bath salts sound innocent enough, but local drug abuse officials say the legally sold synthetic drugs are more dangerous than any illegal drug except methamphetamine and they’re here in the Upstate.

“It’s intense, it’s very fast acting and it’s cheap,” said Bill Coon, manager of the men’s treatment program at Pavillon, a private, nonprofit drug treatment center in Greenville and Asheville. “That’s a dangerous combination.”

Carol Reeves, executive director of the Greenville Family Partnership, said the Upstate is in the early stage of the latest designer drug that is popular with people in their late teens and early- to mid-20s.  Continue reading...

 

Deputies seize $350,000 worth of pot from warehouse

Monday morning raid was initiated due to reports of theft of electical current

APRIL 26, 2012 11:38 a.m. (0)

A large indoor marijuana growing facility containing hundreds of plants with an estimated street value of more than $350,000 is what deputies from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office discovered while looking into a case of electrical current theft.

On Monday morning at 11:00 a.m., the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service at 208 Old Piedmont Highway, according to Deputy Laura Campbell, the GCSO’s public information officer. Duke Energy requested the Sheriff’s Office’s assistance in regard to the theft of electrical current.

At the scene, deputies found unauthorized electrical lines running from a power transformer to a warehouse located on the back of the property. While following the lines to the building, deputies found a broken window and smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. Deputies entered the premises to investigate further and found a quantity of marijuana plants inside.  Continue reading...