HAZARD – Several people were arrested in Operation UNITE’s latest effort to round up drug dealers in Perry County.

Authorities spread out across the county with indictment warrants in hand Thursday morning, looking for a total of 22 people. As of 5 p.m., 10 of those individuals had been arrested. Two of those 10 people were arrested on Wednesday. Most of those charged are facing drug trafficking offenses.

Dan Smoot, law enforcement director with UNITE, said this week’s round up should serve as a wake up call for drug dealers in the county that authorities won’t stop seeking arrests.

“The main purpose of round ups is to basically let dealers know that we’re going to continue to seek them out and arrest them, and send a message that eventually you will get caught,” said Smoot. “Obviously, we would hope that they would seek treatment prior to arrest, but it’s their choice, and we just want to let them know if they continue to sell drugs, we will continue to make cases and arrest and prosecute.”

The following people were arrested and charged in this week's roundup:

• Kenneth R. Wooton, age 46 – possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and endangering the welfare of a minor.

• Abbey C. Daniels, age 31 – trafficking in marijuana, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and endangering the welfare of a minor.

• Christopher Hampton, age 38, Moore Street, Hazard – theft by unlawful taking over $300.

• Ross Herslip, age 24, Red Oak Road, Vicco (Knott County) – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• George Hurt, age 26, Bart Camp Branch, Delphia, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Phyllis Noble Jones, age 39, Lost Creek Road, Hazard, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and second-degree persistent felony offender.

• Danny J. Lawson, age 33, Big Willard, Busy, Possession of marijuana.

• Mikisha Little, age 26, Combs, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, and third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Ray Little, age 32, Lick Branch, Combs, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

• Clinton Thacker, age 37, East Main Street, Hazard – four counts first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

Police are continuing to search for the other 12 subjects.

Taking part in Thursday’s roundup along with UNITE were the Hazard Police Department and Perry County Sheriff’s Office.