LINCOLNTON, N.C. -- Lincolnton police conducted a massive drug sweep Tuesday and said it was a success.

Officers said the suspects were dealing illegal prescription drugs out of homes.

Alcohol Law Enforcement agents, Lincolnton police officers and Lincoln County police officers worked together to build a case against some of the suspected dealers.

“This has been an ongoing operation,” Lt. Brian Greene said. “Six months.”

In all, 23 people were taken into custody.

Robbie Edwards was one of them, and her bond was set at $500,000.

The judge set another woman’s bond even higher. Pamela Voss’s was set at $1.4 million.

Greene said the bonds were set high because of the number of charges.

“We are not talking about individuals that have one charge,” he said. “We are talking about individuals who have multiple charges.”

One man who was arrested faces 14 drug charges. His bond was set at $660,000.

“Right here at Christmas time, it takes them off the street,” Greene said. “[It] keeps them from committing more crimes.”

Police said most of the people arrested are suspected of dealing prescription drugs.

“[They] have traffic in and out of their home, selling 30, 40, 60 pills at a time,” Greene said.

Police said they expect few of the people arrested will get to spend Christmas with their families.

“The message to them is, ‘We are not going to tolerate this behavior,’” Greene said.