Dozens arrested in early-morning drug round-up

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — An early Thursday morning drug roundup led to the arrest of more than a dozen people in Catawba County.
 
All morning, Channel 9 saw deputies and police from Conover and Hickory arriving at the sheriff's office after making the arrest.  
 
"I don't even know what's going on. You have no idea? I have no idea," said suspect Rhonda Blackwood.
    
Many of the people Channel 9 saw in custody said they were surprised by the early morning wake up call.  Some were still in their pajamas after deputies went out around 6 a.m. 
 
"What do they have you here for? I don't know," suspect Johnny Farley said.
         
Police said all of the charges involve drugs and many of the cases center on people selling or buying prescription medications like pain pills. An undercover narcotics officer said those sales lead to other problems in the county.   
 
"They will commit crimes, petty crimes and larcenies to fund them habit to continue to fuel their habit that they have," the officer said.
 
Deputies said they are serving 40 indictments involving as many as 30 people and expect to make more  arrests throughout the day.

WSOC