The Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force has spearheaded or has been a part of a number of high-profile drug arrests over the past few years, and 2011 was no different.
The most notable bust was November's sweep of approximately 100 defendants - the largest raid ever conducted by the task force, with some 50 members serving warrants throughout the county.
Defendants were charged with possession and distribution, among other offenses, of myriad substances, including heroin, cocaine and prescription drugs.
This was followed by the Dec. 13 arrests of eight alleged conspirators of a cocaine and heroin ring said to be operating in lower Northumberland County and concentrated in the Shamokin area. The December bust was the culmination of a 14-month investigation, with a grand jury recommending the charges be filed.
In September, three additional defendants were charged in an investigation alleging more than $100,000 worth of marijuana was being shipped from Texas to Sunbury. Fifteen people were charged in the case, including a former Sunbury police officer.
In May, Ralpho Township police lead the arrest of an Elysburg man accused of possessing $22,000 worth of marijuana, the largest drug bust conducted in the township to date.