Things got a little too hot for some accused drug dealers in Union County who found themselves being arrested during an ongoing anti-drug sweep by local and state law enforcement agencies.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, the Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Union Public Safety Department announced that, in cooperation with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), they’d initiated “Operation Summer Sizzler.” Designed to take more drug dealers off the streets of Union County, the operation got underway Monday when a search warrant was served at 225 Deepwater Road, Union. Deputies seized approximately 1 lb. of marijuana; an assault rifle with clip and ammunition;, and $681 in cash. Two individuals were arrested at the time.

The operation continued at daylight Tuesday morning when deputies served a search warrant at the residence of Monterrius Dawkins, 106 Gage Avenue, Union, and recovered a handgun. Charges are pending against Dawkins for distribution of Ecstasy and possession of a fire arm by a person convicted of a crime of violence.

A search warrant was also served at 106 Kissy Creek Circle, Union, with a quantity of crack cocaine, marijuana and other controlled substances being found.

Operation Summer Sizzler is part of an ongoing drug investigation carried over from Operation Winter Surprise in Jan. 2011. Since then, the Drug Task Force has made several arrests on search warrants and drug eradication events but the Summer Sizzler arrests are based on individual drug buys from informants. Task force officers have 92 warrants for various charges on 54 individuals, most for drug violations, in Union County and surrounding counties.

Sheriff David Taylor commended the efforts the task force has placed on the drug fight in Union County. Taylor pledged to keep up the fight against drug dealers and users in Union County. He said additional theft charges will be forthcoming on stolen copper that was recovered during the operation.

“During this round-up, we have proved that copper thefts and drug activity go hand-in-hand,” Taylor said.

Captain Greg Pickens with the Union Public Safety Department stated, “I am pleased to see the spirit of cooperation that our agencies have together. To share resources to make the citizens of Union feel that law enforcement is taking drug activity serious.”

More arrests are expected in the days ahead in both the city and the county.

The following were arrested by the sheriff’s office:

Linda Ann Craig, 58, 138 Short St., Union, SC, charged with distribution of Schedule III narcotic and distribution of Schedule II narcotic.

Victoria Pruitt Stephens, 38, 119 Balsam St., Union, SC, charged with distribution of Schedule II controlled substance.

Christopher M. Keisler, 29, 184 Lovers Lane, Union, SC, charged with distribution of Schedule II controlled substance.

Joshua Richard Meadows, 26, 421 Sardis Road, Union, SC, charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony.

Allison Brooke Callihan, 30, 225 Deepwater Rd., Union, charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Jackie Lee Lanier, 30, 211 N. First St., Lockhart, SC, charged with distribution of cocaine.

Matthew Paul Alexander, 26, 218 Bailey Rd., Union, charged with unlawful purchase, transport of copper wire or pipe.

Tiffany Gail Trammell, 26, 144 Peach Shed Rd., Jonesville, SC, charged with distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.

Rhonda Chapman Owens, 48, 902 Central Avenue, Whitmire, SC, charged with distribution of a Schedule III narcotic.

Demar Donald Garnett, 23, 245 Eisontown Rd., Jonesville, SC, charged with distribution of crack cocaine.

James Kershaw, 49, 120 Dover Rd., Jonesville, SC, charged with three counts of distribution of crack cocaine.

Jessie James Hardy, 60, S. Duncan By-Pass, Palmetto Inn Union, charged with possession of a Schedule II narcotic, possession of a Schedule III narcotic and possession of marijuana.

Cegie Nicole Puckett, 23, 2205 Buffalo-West Springs Hwy., Buffalo, charged with possession of a prescription drug and possession of a Schedule IV narcotic.

Tuesday Nicole Brown Hill, 34, 102 Pond Street, Union, charged with distribution of a Schedule IV narcotic.

Thomas Chad Boulware, 30, 239 Gin Circle, Buffalo, charged with distribution of a Schedule III narcotic, distribution of marijuana, distribution of marijuana within a 1/2 mile of a school or park, distribution of a Schedule III narcotic within a 1/2 mile of a park, and unlawful purchase, transport of copper wire or pipe.

Kelvin Bruce Beasley, 48, 116 Clear Branch Rd. Carlisle, charged with distribution of crack cocaine.

Anthony Lamont Sims, 29, 407 Tight Circle, Buffalo, charged with distribution of a Schedule III narcotic and distribution of a Schedule III narcotic within a 1/2 mile of a school or park.

Brandon Scott Harris, 23, 233 Harris Lake Road, Union, charged with distribution of crack cocaine.

Frederick Keith Parham, 40, 804 Monarch Hwy., Union, charged with distribution of crack cocaine.

Kenneth Wayne Shetley, 53, 805 W. Main St., Union, charged with distribution of marijuana and distribution of marijuana within a 1/2 mile of a school or park.

Misty Queen Clark, 32, 141 Oak Grove Rd., Lot 7, Union, charged with distribution of a Schedule II narcotic.

Frederick Jermaine Bates, 40, 804 Monarch Hwy., Union, charged with distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within a 1/2 mile of a school or park.

Ladarius D. Brannon, 21, 119 Ball Park Dr., Jonesville, charged with distribution of crack cocaine.

Rebecca Lynn Hooks, 46, 409 S. 2nd Street, Lockhart, charged with distribution of Schedule IV narcotic, distribution of a Schedule III narcotic and two counts of distribution within a 1/2 mile of a school or park.

Terry Lee Smith, 46, 656 Blue Ridge Rd, Union, charged with distribution of prescription drugs.

Nicholas Gerard Pendergrass, 32, 270 Oakland Rd. Lot 7, Union, charged with distribution of crack cocaine and possession of a controlled substance.

Patrick Neil Sinclair, 34, 270 Oakland Rd., Union, charged with distribution of a Schedule II narcotic.

Elizabeth Davis, 34, 128 Sardis School House Rd., Union, charged with possession of a control Schedule I controlled substance.

These individuals were arrested by the public safety department:

Rusty Shane Jeter, 24, 302 Lawson Ave., Union, SC, charged with distribution of crack cocaine.

Jarvis Sentiel Cunningham, 22, 176 Sedgefield Dr., Union, charged with distribution of crack cocaine.

Joshua Jacob Jeter, 22, 203-A Richards St., Union, charged with distribution of crack cocaine.

Kyle Gerard Gory, 22, 220 Bobo St., Union, charged with distribution of Xanax.

Eugene Smith, 42, 406 South Mountain St., Union, charged wit distribution of crack cocaine.

Toney Demarkus Coleman, 24, 204 N. Church St., Union, charged with distribution of marijuana.

Jeremy Jermaine Hughes, 22, 904 Lakeside Dr., Union, charged with distribution of crack cocaine.

Ricky Gernard Andrews, 44, 111 Wallace St., Union, charged with distribution of marijuana.

Ronald Christopher Roach, 47, 146 Hamm St., Union, charged with petit larceny.

Jeffrey Lee Davis, 38, 114 Park Street, Union, charged with petit larceny.