CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio -- A drug bust of heroin dealers on Thursday highlights a growing problem in Central Ohio that is taking over even the smallest towns.
Operation Clean Sweep netted 12 arrests, including a 14-year-old girl.
Since the investigation began five months ago, police have made a total of 48 arrests with more than 70 felony charges.
Pickaway County residents are glad to hear of the drug ring busts, but still say there should be more done.
"Three people in Circleville have overdosed on drugs in the past month", said one resident.
NBC 4 wanted to know if the sheriff's office in Pickaway County is as concerned about the drug trade as the individual police departments are and what they're doing to combat the problem.
Pickaway County Sheriff Dwight Radcliff said during a phone interview with NBC 4 that his agency is doing all it can to cut down on the problem.
"These investigations take some time. These aren't the kind of investigations that you go out and make massive arrests," said Pickaway County Lt. Robert Radcliff. "Well, go to Franklin County. They have a problem in Franklin County. Check any county, I think you're going to find a problem across the nation. I don't think Pickaway is unique compared to any other county."
The sheriff's office said heroin isn't just a county problem -- it's a state and national problem, too.
Lt. Robert Radcliff said a lot of drugs that come into rural areas are from Franklin County, and affirmed that his agency will work hard to cut down on drugs in the county.
Officials said they will work with Franklin County, Columbus police and the U.S. 23 Pipeline Task Force to combat drug trafficking.
"We are concerned about the young people we had yesterday. We had as many 50-year-olds as we did 18-year-olds," said Circleville police Chief Harold Gray.
Out of all of the arrests in Pickaway County, only two people have bonded out.
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