Several drug dealers and users got a rude wake up call Tuesday morning as area law enforcement carried out a sting operation that centered around the Greenville area.

Members of the Greenville Police Department, Butler County Sheriff's Office, Alabama Beverage Control, the 35th Judicial Drug Task Force and other agencies began their operation at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning. Throughout the morning, well into the early afternoon, a Alabama National Guard helicopter could be seen and heard over different areas of the city. Sirens could be heard throughout the city as some arrests were made simultaneously. Also, it was obvious something was happening by the number of different law officers walking around town in full-protection gear.

At one point in morning, while Lt. Lance Price of the ABC Board, Chief Lonzo Ingram and Sheriff Kenny Harden were updating the media, about 15 officers rushed through the front doors of City Hall to waiting cars.

&#8220We've got one trying to run,” a passing officer yelled to Ingram.

Approximately 15 minutes later, the same group returned with smiles on their faces because they had caught their man.

So what brought this about on Tuesday? Well, call it a long several months of good teamwork.

According to Sheriff Harden, this was the culmination of a seven month operation.

&#8220Back in January, Chief (Lonzo) Ingram and I got together and discussed the drug problem in the city and county,” he said.

&#8220We decided that day that we were going to have a zero tolerance policy on drugs.”

When asked how bad the drug problem is in Butler County, Harden was quick to respond.

&#8220It's not as bad today, as it was yesterday,” he said.

Ingram said the operation resulted in seven months of undercover police work where officers purchased drugs from various individuals.

&#8220This was a good sting operation,” he said. &#8220It served notice that we're taking drug activity seriously and that we're not going to tolerate dealers any longer.”

Lt. Price, said his department has been involved from the start.

&#8220We've assisted in this by having our officers working undercover and conjunction with Sheriff Harden and Chief Ingram,” he said.

&#8220In all we had 12 ABC officers involved this morning in the sting.”

Mayor Dexter McLendon was on hand after the initial arrests were made and said it pleased him to see the action.

&#8220This is one of the biggest stings I've seen in this area in a long time,” he said.

Those arrested were the following:

t Elizabeth Burnett Jones, 52, of Greenville, was charged with possession of marijuana second degree and possession of drug paraphernail.

t Mona Shambray, 29, of Greenville, was arrested on four counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t Cory McDonald, 26, of Greenville, was arrested on two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.

t Tiffany Womack, 24, of Greenville, was arrested for possession of marijuana second degree and possession of drug paraphernalia.

t Patrick Crenshaw, 21, of Greenville, was arrested for five counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t William Donald Griffin, 62, of Greenville, was arrested for unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t Tracey O'Neal Franklin, 37, of Greenville was arrested for unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t Rodrick Devon Smith, 20, of Greenville, was arrested on two county of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t Gregory Burnett, 29, of Greenville, was arrested for the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t Antonio Albritton, 29, of Greenville, was arrested on two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t Lydia Poole Lewis, 23, of Greenville, was arrested for the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t Larry Rashad Perdue, 29, of Greenville, was arrested for the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t Mason Hartley, 20, of Greenville, was arrested on three counts of the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

t Darrin Jamar Yeldell, 40, of Greenville, was arrested on two counts of the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t Andre Rodriquez Key, 30, of Greenville, was arrested for a probation violation.

t David Kendrick Mack, 53, of Greenville, was arrested for the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

t Cory Lewis Butts, 25, of Greenville, was arrested for possession of marijuana second degree.

t Urdray Lowery, 23, of Greenville, was arrested for the unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.