Rodney Tyler, of 2917 Pickens Ave. in Aiken, is charged with trafficking cocaine, 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams

Rodney Tyler, of 2917 Pickens Ave. in Aiken, is charged with trafficking cocaine, 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.State agents say they confiscated a .22 caliber pistol during the afternoon search and approximately nine ounces of cocaine.
Tyler was arrested at his residence, where he was handcuffed and held during a search conducted by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agents, with the assistance of Aiken County Sheriff's Office deputies and Aiken Public Safety officers.Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt and Solicitor Strom Thurmond Jr. were also present at the Pickens Avenue home Friday.Deputies and agents inventoried the home for several hours, combing through vehicles on the property and removing other items from the small brick residence before Tyler was taken to the county detention center.
Residents gathered outside while the officers conducted their search.Jennifer Timmons, the communications director for SLED, did not comment on how investigators learned about the alleged drug activity or if more arrests were forth coming.Tyler, who has been arrested on drug charges in the past, is being held at the Aiken County detention center.In 1989, Tyler pleaded guilty to drug possession and resisting arrest. In 1994, he pleaded guilty to additional drug possession charges.