Washington police, N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency and N.C. Probation and Parole sent a stark message to alleged drug dealers this week.

Tuesday, the three agencies arrested nine people in the City of Washington, all on drug charges, some also on charges of violating probation, all of which were the results of a month-long investigation, according to a press release from police spokesman Lt. William Chrismon.

“It’s a true partnership between the three agencies—they give us more tools in the fight against illegal drugs,” said Washington Police and Fire Services Director Stacy Drakeford, regarding the collaboration.

Those arrested were as follows:

William Thomas Ward, 27, of Harrington Street, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $10,000.

Rodney Darnell Putney, 24, of Washington Street, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $5,000.

Tashombee Keishawn Jones, 20, of Pierce Street, was charged with three counts of felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.  Bond was set at $100,000.

Jaquan Tremel Jones, 19, of Blake Street, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, conspiracy to sell or deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $4,000.

Sharon Devonta Langley, 22, of Washington Street, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, conspiracy sell or deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $3,500.

William Hyman, 27, of Sparrow Drive, was charged with three counts of felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana and three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $10,000.

Quantee Antwone Brown, 26, of Sparrow Drive, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, two counts of felony identity theft, felony probation violation, possession of drug paraphernalia and multiple motor vehicle violations from another jurisdiction. Bond was set at $72,500.

Kinney Earl White, of Anderson Place, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana. Bond was set at $1,000.

Winfield Perry Jr., 22, of U.S. Highway 17 North, was charged with felony possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $4,500.

According to Washington Police and Fire Services Director Stacy Drakeford, the agency performs this type of sweep for several reasons.

“We do it to send a message to those who are involved in selling illegal drugs in Washington: that we are adamant about arresting those, and prosecuting those, who are destroying our community,” Drakeford said, adding that the sweeps are also a way to maximize manpower for the department.

More arrests — a total of as many as 20 — are expected in the coming days, he said.