ST. MATTHEWS – Three people were arrested Wednesday after the U.S. Postal Service delivered 50 pounds of marijuana to a Calhoun County residence in what officials are calling a controlled mail delivery.

Calhoun County Sheriff Thomas Summers said his deputies, along with U.S. Postal Service agents, intercepted the parcel containing two plastic containers filled with marijuana.

“This is yet another major blow that we have dealt the people who choose to deal drugs in our county,” Summers said.

Kendrick Rodriguez, 33, of 560 Burke Road, St. Matthews was arrested and charged with trafficking in marijuana. Demetrice Hart, 32 , of Norway, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and simple possession of marijuana. Wilbur Gaddis, 30, of North Plainfield, N.J. was charged with conspiracy to traffic in marijuana.

Summers would not give details of the investigation that led to the arrests.

The sheriff did say, however, that through a joint investigation with the USPS, Calhoun County authorities learned of the package’s contents. The destination for the parcel was discovered to be a Burke Road residence.

The package was tracked through the USPS delivery system and, when the homeowner accepted it, he was immediately taken into custody, Summers said.

Further investigation by Calhoun County authorities revealed that two other subjects were awaiting the arrival of the marijuana, he said. They were apprehended in close proximity to the residence.

Summers praised the efforts of his Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team, who worked closely with the Postal Inspector’s Office. All three subjects are being housed in the Orangeburg-Calhoun Detention Center, where they are awaiting a bond hearing.

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