SHELBY, NC- Nearly 30 drug offenders, some trafficking right through Charlotte, are behind bars. But, the nine month investigation in Cleveland County isn't over yet.

As part of “Operation Gift Wrapped”, the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office took out warrants on 54 people. Deputies arrested 27 on Thursday, one on Friday, and there's still 18 on the streets.

The 54 suspects have a total of 155 charges, mostly drug-related. Deputies call the criminals mid-level dealers... or the middle men between the big guys and the drug users.

"It does put a big dent because now, the people who are moving the large quantities have no one to distribute it for them," said Sergeant John Stearns.

Stearns says drugs affect everyone in a community… no matter what your age or social status.

The Westbrook family lives right in the heart of Shelby where some of the arrests were made. The Westbrooks say the crack down actually makes them feel safer.

"I think it sends a message to the people on drugs and dealing drugs and things like that that they're not going to get away with it, the police are cracking down, they're after them, and they're going to get 'em," said Bryson Westbrook.

The family says every offender off the streets makes the city safer for their kids. They're standing behind the police.

"I would hope that other citizens or people that might know them or know of them would come forward with the information," said Wren Westbrook.

Deputies says even though arrests were made in Cleveland County, all surrounding counties are also impacted.

"The running is going up through Charlotte. So, we're getting the drugs coming out of Charlotte, Gastonia to us and Rutherford County," said Stearns.

With 28 drug offenders off the streets, Cleveland County deputies hope they can get a better handle on a growing problem.

If you have any information about them... please call the cleveland county sheriff's office.

The following people are still wanted by the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office:

Joyce Gantt

1524 South Post Road

Shelby, NC 28152

P.W.I.S.D. Counterfeit controlled substance

Sell / Deliver Counterfeit controlled substance

Cordell Yates

125 College Road Apt. C5

Shelby, NC 28152

P.W.I.S.D. controlled substance

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

James Smith, Jr.

209 Waco Road

Kings Mountain, NC 28086

P.W.I.S.D. controlled substance

Sell / deliver Schedule II controlled substance

Brian O’Neal Black

208 Royster Avenue

Shelby, NC 28150

Trafficking schedule II controlled substance (3 counts)

Joy Jay Bridges, Jr.

1027 Mitchell Street

Shelby, NC 28150

P.W.I.S.D. controlled substance

Sell / deliver controlled substance

Ishmar Jabbar Grier

1055 Mountain Crest Drive

Kings Mountain, NC 28086

P.W.I.S.D. schedule II controlled substance

Sell / Deliver schedule II controlled substance

Wanda Sue Bowen

2414 Pleasant Hill Church Road

Shelby, NC 28150

P.W.I.S.D. Marijuana

Sell / Deliver Marijuana

Curtis Austin Martin

1016 Piedmont Avenue

Kings Mountain, NC 28086

P.W.I.S.D. controlled substance

Sell / deliver controlled substance

Alex Donnell Blevins

108 Grier Street

Grover, NC 28073

Trafficking in Opium (2 counts)

Conspiracy to sell controlled substance (2 counts)

Sell / deliver controlled substance (2 counts)

P.W.I.S.D. controlled substance (4 counts)

Gilbert Andrew Davis

1009 Mary’s Grove Church Road

Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Trafficking in opium (2 counts)

Sell / deliver controlled substance (2 counts)

P.W.I.S.D. controlled substance (2 counts)

Richard Thomas

Donald Gregory Smith

233 Stroupe Road

Lawndale, NC 28090

P.W.I.S.D. marijuana

Sell / Deliver marijuana

Bruce Wayne Mathis

2413 Blacksburg Road

Grover, NC 28073

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Mark Beaver, Jr.

1213 Maple Springs Road

Shelby, NC 28152

Possession of Schedule VI controlled substance

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Jason Kevin Arnold

525 Wilson Drive

Lawndale, NC 28090

Operate video gaming machines

Teresa Nicole Hollifield

132 Snowball Drive

Forest City, NC 28043

Possession of controlled substance (3 counts)

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Billy Joe Blanton, Jr.

207 Middle Street

Ellenboro, NC 28040

P.W.I.S.D. schedule II controlled substance (2 counts)

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Resisting a public officer

Catherine Stacy

638 Bell Road

Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Possession of Methamphetamine

Shoplifting