The Chilton County Sheriff’s Department made numerous drug-related arrests over the last two months, with the most recent arrests occurring Sunday, Sheriff Kevin Davis reported.

Most of the 20-plus people arrested were charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, but two were charged with possession of heroin — which is not very common for Chilton County, Davis said.

“I cannot remember when somebody was arrested for heroin in this county,” the sheriff said.

While heroin, normally a drug associated with large cities, is certainly a concern, Davis has seen a sharp increase in the manufacture of meth in 2009.

“Since the first quarter of the year, our Special Operations Unit has been extremely busy,” he said. “It doesn’t seem to be letting up any.”

While drug arrests help remove dangerous substances from the streets, they also lead law enforcement agencies to thefts, burglaries and other crimes because of the need and the monetary reasons to support the habit, Davis said.

He attributed the department’s success partly to information sharing and close work between narcotics officers and patrol deputies. He commended both groups of officers for their work, and Clanton Police officers were also credited in the arrests.

“If we had more personnel, there would be even more arrests,” he said. “With the limited personnel we’ve got and the number of arrests made, our guys have done an outstanding job.”

The persons taken into custody were:

Bobby Short was arrested and charged with distribution of controlled substance.

Brandon Chase Knox was arrested and charged with possession of heroin.

Brian Lewellen was arrested and charged for manufacturing methamphetamine.

Candy Collums was arrested and charged with possession of precursor chemicals.

Candace Cavanaugh was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Jason Davidson was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

James Ingram was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Lucas Finley was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Michael Barrett was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

James Williamson was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Dickey Sharpe was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Thomas Williamson was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Julie Edwards was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Christopher Wingard was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Ronnie Wyatt was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Gwendolyn Joiner was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Christy Smitherman was arrested and charged with possession of heroin.

Hunter Brooks was arrested and charged with distribution of controlled substance.

Deferio Varner was arrested and charged with trafficking in marijuana and possession of a stolen firearm.

Leroy Varner was arrested and charged with trafficking in marijuana and possession of a stolen firearm.

Timothy Good was arrested and charged with trafficking in marijuana and possession of a stolen firearm.

Jeffery Reese was arrested and charged with trafficking in marijuana and possession of a stolen firearm.

“To anyone out there in the drug trade, we’re after you every day,” he said. “We may not get you today or tomorrow, but the next day may be your day.”