NEWBERRY — An investigation that has been ongoing for more than a year culminated Thursday in a sweeping drug round-up when 100-plus law enforcement personnel fanned out, armed with arrest warrants for 72 people.

At the end of the day, 42 people were in custody and officers were still searching for the remaining 30.

Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster, Newberry Police Chief Dennis Brown and Whitmire Police Chief Jeremiah Sinclair were joined by representatives of the Prosperity Police Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton Police Department, Newberry Haz-Mat Team, and other agencies.

“We have worked very hard to identify and catch people who use or sell illegal drugs,” said Sinclair. “Sometimes people do not see anything happening and they think we are not working but it just takes time to make a good drug case that will be prosecutable in court. The level of evidence needed in today’s courts is extremely high, and we want to make sure not to just get an arrest, but a conviction.”

Foster said drugs are at the root of much of the crime that occurs in Newberry County. One misconception is that drugs are a victimless crime, he said.

“Anyone who would like to say drugs are a victimless crime should spend some time with law enforcement,” Foster said. “Let us show you shattered families, victims who no longer feel safe in their home, and people afraid to go back out into public because they were victimized by someone ultimately seeking drugs, and then tell us it is a victimless crime.”

Brown lauded the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in the sweep.

“Newberry County is a safer place tonight thanks to the hard work and dedication of the many area law enforcement officers who participated in today’s roundup,” Brown said Thursday. “Those of us who work in law enforcement need every resident to help stop this activity by taking back your streets through neighborhood watches and calling in tips.”

Authorities said many investigations are launched from complaints made by residents.

“These complaints are vital to us,” Foster said. “Concerned citizens are additional sets of eyes and ears in the community and our cooperation are what makes Newberry County both safe and a great place.”

Those arrested Thursday included the following:

• Travis Benjerald Barr, 27, of Newberry, two counts of distribution of marijuana

• Regina Marie Boland, 37, of Little Mountain, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Amanda Carol Bozeman, 33, of Clinton, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Daron James Butler, 21, of Whitmire, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Jimmy Cannon, 55, of Newberry, distribution of marijuana

• Clarence Dion Cannon Jr., 28, of Prosperity, distribution of Ecstasy

• Christopher Jarques Counts, 26, of Newberry, distribution of crack cocaine

• Nicholas Charles Ellison, 35, of Newberry, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Barry Mark Eubanks, 41, of Prosperity, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Lakendra Fowler-Davenport, 28, of Newberry, distribution of cocaine

• Jared Ross Gillian, 21, of Clinton, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Corey Dupree Hall, 31, of Newberry, distribution of crack cocaine (third offense) and distribution of marijuana

• Norman Batistis Helms, 43, of Newberry, distribution of a controlled substance

• Robert Allen Hershey, 37, of Newberry, distribution of methamphetamine

• Tyrek Maurice Hunter, 18, of Newberry, distribution of marijuana

• Teandrea Germaine Hunter, 19, of Newberry, distribution of marijuana

• Stephen Maurice Jackson, 29, of Newberry, distribution of marijuana (two counts)

• Maria Renee Johnson, 36, of Silverstreet, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Frederick Calvin Jones, 33, of Newberry, distribution of crack cocaine (two counts)

• Brian Eugene Knox, 33, of Clinton, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Kyle Wade Leap, 18, of Gaston, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• William Brian Lee, 40, of Newberry, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Robert Perry Long, 26, of Clinton, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Rodney Dale Long, 40, of Clinton, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Gregory Lee Lyles, 35, of Whitmire, distribution of crack cocaine, third offense

• James David McCullough, 48, of Kinards, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Gasnel O’Bryan Miller, 25, of Newberry, distribution of marijuana

• Carrington Autrey Neal, 20, of Newberry, distribution of marijuana (two counts)

• Eddie O’Neal Rutherford, 31, of Newberry, distribution of marijuana (two counts)

• Desmond Jerod Sheppard, 26, of Newberry, distribution of marijuana (two counts)

• Jarvis Jameak Sims, 29, of Newberry, distribution of cocaine (second offense) and distribution of marijuana

• Jonathan Scott Williams, 40, of Little Mountain, distribution of crack cocaine

• Charles Ricky Wilson, 24, of Newberry, attempt to possess a controlled substance

• Leonardo Jamal Wimphrie, 30, of Newberry, distribution of heroin (two counts)

• Jasneko Marquell Wright, 28, of Newberry, trafficking cocaine 28-100 grams, second offense

• Vanissia Vonchelle Wright, 26, of Newberry, distribution of marijuana

• Jeffrey Scott Worthy, 47, of Whitmire, distribution of a controlled substance

Those still being sought include the following:

• Aaron Borris Berry, 31, of 2109 Rosalyn Drive, Newberry

• Lauren Nicole Boyter, 26, of 3924 Old Newberry Highway, Whitmire

• Andrea Lee Bradberry, 45, of 26905 U.S. 76, Kinards

• Sierra Dawn Braswell, 28, of 1260 Church St., Whitmire

• Kyle Lamar Brown, 31, of 2924 Holy Trinity Church Road, Little Mountain

• Kevius Valentae Brown, 26, of 2314 Emory St., Newberry

• Antonio Jasper Carter, 29, of 927 Wise St., Newberry

• Rashad Jamal Chaney, 27, of 9084 S.C. 34, Newberry

• Cathy Cournoyer, 55, of 135 Ancient Oak Lane, Prosperity

• Tonya Dawn Crapps, 40, of 2032 Eleanor St., Newberry

• April Tameka Cromer, 38, of 3422 Elmwood Circle, Newberry

• Benjamin Ryheem Cromer, 19, of 706 Green St., Newberry

• Antoine Lamar Cromer, 31, of 3403 Chick Drive, Newberry

• Michael Shane Drew, 40, of 6151 Whitmire Highway, Whitmire

• Jeremy Brandon Ellison, 28, of 596 Hickory Grove Road, Saluda

• Kaderius Quanteil Hiller, 24, of 317 Forrest Hills Boulevard, Prosperity

• Miriam Elise Holden, 24, of 267 Eaves Road, Whitmire

• Timothy Dearl Kelley, 39, of 407 Morehead St., Joanna

• Travis Kenard Long, 25, of 2802 Milne Ave., Newberry

• Keith Darrell Long, 34, of 1604 Evans Pond Road, Unit 3, Greenwood

• Kevin Joe Meetze, 43, of 117 Smallwood Drive, Chapin

• Brian Alan Pagan, 28, of 856 A Oleander Road, Batesburg

• Malcolm Issiah Robinson, 19, of 134 Kathys Drive, Clinton

• Tyrone Daniel Smith, 30, of 126 Nance St., Newberry

• April Cherie Smith, 32, 1463 Ringer Road, Pomaria

• Janna Marie Towne, 56, of 31 E. Patton Road, Laurens

• Jonnie Earl Tucker, 44, of 411 Byrnes St., Joanna

• Kristi M Walker, 34, of 2116 Chickwood Drive, Leesville

• Chelsea Brooke Whitmire, 24, of 1553 Springdale Drive, #9, Clinton

• Jermaine Wicker, 27, of 513 Wright St., Newberry

• Donnell Antwan Williams, 34, of 3567 Grant Ave., Apt. 28D, Newberry

• Anthony Maurice Wise, 22, of 604 Green Meadow Drive, Newberry

• Zackenyon Antwan Wise, 35, of 3105 Devine St., Newberry

• Bennie Artrell Wright, 28, of 1318 Pearl St., Newberry

• Thomas Jefferson Welch, 28, of 1126 S.C. 66, Whitmire