18 people arrested in 'drug dealer round-up'

BEDFORD CO. (WSLS 10) - Eighteen people are behind bars following a large 'drug dealer round-up' by law enforcement agents Thursday morning. Deputies say at 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 agents from the ABC Board, Town of Bedford Police Department, and the Virginia State Police assisted the Bedford County Sheriff's Office in serving arrest warrants on 18 people. 

Members in the group are charged with the distribution of illegal drugs and prescription drugs (pills, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin). The arrests took place throughout the county and in the Town of Bedford.

Police said social media played a roll in their investigation. 

"I want to commend the public for their assistance in this effort. We received information through our Facebook and Twitter accounts and our land line which assisted in our investigation. In this regard, I would encourage our communities to reach out to us if they have information on illegal drugs in their community," said Sheriff Mike Brown in a written statement. 

As in past Christmas round-ups, deputies say they presented every person arrested with their, now famous, Miranda Christmas Card. They say most took it in the spirit of holiday giving and several weren't too happy to get them .  

A list of persons arrested and the exact charges against them will be provided by the Sheriff's Office soon.