In a daylong drug sting operation beginning early Monday, warrants were executed against 28 suspected drug dealers and users.

Most were rounded up early in the day and charged by afternoon, including three the police hadn't planned on arresting. Nine are still at large.One of the suspects charged was already in jail on another charge.Police from local, county and state levels converged on the Tamaqua area at 6:30 a.m. in a planned, coordinated attack on an ongoing drug problem.Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver said the issue is epidemic and police will continue to do their part."It's our job to arrest them and then it's up to the courts," said Weaver, standing in a cold, midmorning drizzle as up to 40 officers, drug agents and task force members coordinated a multi-front assault on suspected drug turf throughout the area."It's frustrating. We've had 12 overdoses in the past month and four this past weekend," Weaver said.Weaver said methamphetamine and heroin are among the more prevalent substances, include meth from Mexico. Much of the illegal drugs find their way to Tamaqua and eastern Schuylkill County after being channeled through the cities of Allentown and Hazleton.Several of the suspects claimed innocence as they were led handcuffed to arraignment at the office of District Justice Stephen Bayer."They call me 'Young Polo.' They got me for selling drugs - Percocet. I didn't do it," claimed Justin Vereen, 22, of Washington Street, Tamaqua.Less than an hour later Vereen was escorted to a patrol car headed to county prison. When asked why he was arrested, he responded: "I did some bad things."Vereen then threatened legal action of his own."I'm going to sue Tamaqua," he said as he was placed into the rear seat of the cruiser.By 10 a.m. Tamaqua officer Doug Springer said, "We're about halfway."By noon, authorities had nabbed and arraigned 17 suspects."The sweep resulted in a few bonuses," according to Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine A. Holman.One of the extra arrests came about due to one of the weekend overdoses mentioned by Weaver. The overdose was at 24 N. Greenwood St., Tamaqua, the home of Anthony Pascoe. Parole officers visited the home during the drug sweep and found methamphetamine in Pascoe's bedroom. He denied any knowledge of the drug and said it could belong to anyone who visited his home as his "bedroom is kind of like the living room. Everyone hangs out there."Since Pascoe is barred from having any contact with illegal drugs, he was arrested for a parole violation. Tamaqua Police also charged him with possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $10,000.Holman said the Schuylkill County Drug task Force is composed of approximately 90 law enforcement officers from local police departments, Pennsylvania State Police, the Schuylkill County Parole office and the D.A.'s office. "The drug issue is rampant and it's ruining our communities."Out of the 28 suspects, 10 are females. Over half of the cases involve meth and heroin, Holman said."These cases take time. Leads need to be cultivated before we can make arrests. Please be patient. It's a challenge trying to root out these dealers. I hope the public knows we are working day and night to apprehend these criminals," Holman said.