21 people have been arrested in connection with drug sales in a county-wide narcotics sweep, resulting from a three month investigation. YNN’s Alexandra Weishaupt has more on the intricate operation.

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KINGSTON, N.Y. -- The Kingston Police Department special investigation unit came in full force early Thursday morning. The arrest on Furnace Street is just one of 21 recent drug related arrests in the county.

“If you come to this area to sell or buy or deal drugs, you’re not welcome. We’re gonna get you sooner or later,” said Chief Egidio Tinti of the Kingston Police Department.

Most of those arrested are charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance for selling drugs such as crack cocaine, heroin and powdered cocaine. Several are also self-proclaimed gang members belonging to the “Crips,” “Blackout” and “Dime Boys” based out of Newburgh.

“That gang only grew to about five to seven members and it’s eradicated. We arrested every one of them. So this gives us a great handle to stop the gang activity that grows and before it gets out of our control,” said Detective Sgt. Brian Robertson of the Kingston Police Department.

Police began taking a closer look into drug deals following Operation Clean Sweep which took place last March, resulting in the arrests of more than 100 people. Over the last three months, undercover officers made buys from area drug dealers, all in an effort to reduce drug sales in and around the city.

“These sweeps do a lot more than take people involved with drugs off the streets it make the city of Kingston a safer place and therefore the county a safer place,” said Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright.

Police say 14 of those apprehended have already been indicted by the Grand Jury. Those with a prior felony conviction could face up to 15 years in jail.

Police say the investigation into narcotics trafficking remains ongoing.