North Charleston man arrested on marijuana, gun charges after undercover operation

A 22-year-old North Charleston man was arrested Wednesday night after undercover police officers said they bought marijuana from him before he ran and dropped a handgun.

Phillip Rodney Mallard of Chicora Avenue faces charges of distribution of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, distribution of an imitation substance, unlawfully carrying a pistol and resisting arrest.

Two North Charleston police officers said in an incident report that they first met Mallard and asked for $20 worth of marijuana just before 6 p.m. at Twitty Street and Russelldale Avenue, which is near the interchange of interstates 26 and 526.

Minutes after they parted, Mallard called the officers and set up another meeting behind the Dyson Apartments, where Mallard handed over 3.2 grams of weed, according to an incident report.

He also sold the officers a pill for $5, but it didn’t test positive for the Ecstasy it was proclaimed to be, the report said.

When other officers tried to arrest him, Mallard ran and dropped a 9 mm Jennings pistol, the police reported.

He was later caught at a Twitty Street apartment home, where officers said they found another 1.7 grams of marijuana on Mallard.