An Operation UNITE drug roundup landed 18 people in jail on Friday.

Beginning at 3 p.m., nearly 50 law enforcement officers from the Drug Enforcement Agency, Kentucky State Police Post 10, Harlan County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, the Harlan Police Department, as well as undercover Operation UNITE officers, teamed up in one of the largest UNITE efforts in the organization's history.

The police troop swarmed Mine Camp Road in Verda, a place that is notorious for drug activity in Harlan County. Also, from information gathered by officials at the scene, outsiders from North Carolina have also been coming to the community to “set up shop.”

“This is the most officers we've ever had in one bust,” said Craig Burch, a UNITE detective and spokesperson. “We wanted a large force based on previous complaints and information we gathered during the five-month investigation leading up to today's arrests. We had reason to believe that these people we went after might be belligerent, so we went prepared.”

Friday's drug roundup was a new approach for UNITE. The agency is now targeting specific communities. Residents on Mine Camp Road watched from their front porches as drug dealers were taken away in police cruisers. A group of residents even gathered at a neighborhood church, all saying it was a good day for their community.

“It's been bad a long time,” said one man who declined to give his name.

“We live here, and we're still afraid,” added the woman he was with. “We don't want to give our names, but we sure are glad the police came today.”

A marijuana patch was also spotted by a helicopter pilot. Over 50 plants were later confiscated.

KSP Post 10 Commander Jerry Bailey was also on the scene. His troops assisted in Friday's arrest as well as securing the area.

“And we plan to have a stronger presence here in the future,” Bailey said. “I hope the residents are appreciative. There's a lot of good people up here.”

Operation UNITE will have a follow-up meeting on July 18 at the Verda Baptist Church. The main objective of the meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. is the first of its kind. It will seek input with an emphasis on pulling community members together in the fight against drugs.

Arrested in Friday's roundup were:

-- Kenneth Hopkins, 32, Harlan, four counts of first-degree trafficking a controlled substance and three counts of second-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Kaye Cottrell, 32, Harlan, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance and trafficking a simulated cntrolled substance;

-- Randall Cottrell, 19, Harlan, two counts of first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Reggie Cottrell, 21, Harlan, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Robert Cargle, 69, Harlan, three counts of first-degree trafficking a controlled substance and trafficking marijuana (less than 8 ounces);

-- Heather Hobbs, 23, Harlan, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Demetrice Osborne, 22, Harlan, first-degree conspiracy to trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Thomas Clark, 41, North Carolina, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance and first-degree possession of a forged instrument;

-- Mark Jones, 44, Harlan, two counts of first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Scotty Middleton, 21, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Dennis Vick, 41, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Marialla Osborne, 58, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Jeff Cottrell, 22, possession of marijuana;

-- Ed Cottrell Jr., 75, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Erlane Adams, 39, two counts of first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Precilla Cargle, 26, Harlan, second-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Randy Lewis, 23, Harlan, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance;

-- Tina Britt Smith, 34, Harlan, first-degree trafficking a controlled substance.