On April 11, 2008 Members of the Beaufort/Jasper Multi Agency Drug Task Force concluded a three month drug investigation resulting in the arrest of eight suspects on numerous charges.

The Drug Task Force initiated a drug investigation into the residence located at 201 Marshland Road, Lot 41, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, after receiving information that this location was being used to sell and distribute illegal drugs. Investigators learned that Marcello Gatica, along with others, was responsible for distributing large quantities of cocaine on Hilton Head Island and Bluffton areas. As a result of this investigation a Search Warrant was obtained for the residence.

On April 11, 2008 approximately 5:30 am, Drug Task Force Members, along with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team, executed the above listed Search Warrant. Eight suspects were located and arrested at the residence. Investigators located and seized illegal drugs, U.S. currency, guns, vehicles and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.

Marcello Gatica was charged with two additional counts of Trafficking Cocaine as a result of this investigation.

Lt. Woodward stated this arrest will put a significant dent in the area drug trade.

The Drug Task Force is requesting that anyone having information regarding these individuals contact the Drug Task Force at 843-757-1575.

Marcello Gatica	Rogelio Ramerez-Hernandez	Miguel Inachita	Gabriel Abarca Gomez

Freddy Mendoza	Simon Ibarra-Gomez	Melisa Carpentieri	Mia Barcola

Charges:

Marcello Gatica
201 Marshland Road, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

• Trafficking Cocaine(3 counts)
• Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime

Rogelio Ramerez-Hernandez
201 Marshland Road, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

• Trafficking Cocaine
• Fleeing to Evade Arrest/Detention
• Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime

Miguel Inachita
201 Marshland Road, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

• Trafficking Cocaine
• Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime

Gabriel Abarca Gomez
3 Julia Drive, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

• Trafficking Cocaine
• Fleeing to Evade Arrest/Detention
• Simple Possession of Marijuana

Freddy Mendoza
106 Woodlake Villas, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

• Trafficking Cocaine

Simon Ibarra-Gomez
3 Julia Drive Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

• Trafficking Cocaine

Melisa Carpentieri
40 Woodlake Villas Hilton, Head Island, South Carolina

• Possession of Cocaine

Mia Barcola
40 Woodlake Villas, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

• Possession of Cocaine

Seized:

• 1995 Range Rover
• 1998 Cadillac
• $5,217.00 U.S. Currency
• Cocaine (Approximately 500 grams)
• 1 Revolver
• 2 Semi Auto Hand Guns
• 1 12 Gauge Shot Gun
• Marijuana (Approximately 2 grams)
• Miscellaneous Drug Paraphernalia (Surveillance Camera's Ect.)