Five men arrested in drug raid in Hilton Head, Bluffton

From staff reports

Published Wednesday, November 25, 2009

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Four Hilton Head Island residents and a Bluffton man were arrested by a multi-agency task force Tuesday after a six-month drug-trafficking investigation, according to a release from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

Undercover officers with the Beaufort/Jasper Drug Task Force and the S.C. Law Enforcement Division bought cocaine and marijuana from the five suspects on both ends of Hilton Head Island, the release said.

When police went to Rodney Jakes' apartment at The Oaks atWilliam Hilton Parkway to arrest him, they found about 13.7 grams of cocaine and 56 grams of marijuana. Police also seized a handgun and a shotgun, the release said.

Task force officers also arrested Mellelana A. Hardin, 39; Patrick A. Nguyen, 38; Anthony J. Mazzochi, 23; and Robert S. Thompson, 30, the release said.

The investigation continues, and deputies said additional arrests are pending.

Rodney L. Jakes, 35

The Oaks, William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island

Charges: Sale and distribution of cocaine; trafficking cocaine; trafficking cocaine within a half mile of a school; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Mellelana A. Hardin, 39

The Oaks, William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island

Charges: Trafficking cocaine; trafficking cocaine within a half mile of a school; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Patrick A. Nguyen, 38

Oyster Landing Road, Hilton Head Island

Charges: Two counts of sale and distribution of cocaine.

Anthony J. Mazzochi, 23

Plumgrass Street, Bluffton

Charges: Sale and distribution of marijuana.

Robert S. Thompson, 30

Lemoyne Avenue, Hilton Head Island

Charges: Sale and distribution of cocaine; two counts of sale and distribution of MDMA (Ecstasy).

Seizures:

About 13.7 grams of cocaine

About 56 grams of marijuana (packaged in 58 individual bags)