The Effingham County Sheriffs Office Drug Suppression Unit has wrapped up an 18-month-long drug operation that has led to nearly 50 arrests.

The Drug Suppression Unit has dedicated certain agents to investigate people who have been purchasing items such as illegal amounts of pseudoephedrine from area pharmacies. Those items are then passed on to the suspects who cook the methamphetamine.

Sheriff’s drug investigators have worked closely with area pharmacies in tracking people who purchase illegal amounts of pseudoephedrine. Area pharmacies have cooperated by having all person purchasing pseudoephedrine show their identification and limiting the amount they can purchase.

This investigation has led to seizing approximately 10 meth labs, items to make meth labs such as anhydrous tanks and pseudoephedrine, and vehicles.

“This is part of our ongoing fight against drugs,” said Effingham Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, “and we have made a substantial impact in meth labs in our county. We will continue to fight the war on drugs and prosecute meth cooks and dealers to the fullest extent of the law.”