Nearly a dozen arrests have been made in an alleged drug operation in Selma after a 17-month long investigation by state, federal and local law enforcement agencies.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the arrests Wednesday during a press conference at the Dallas County Courthouse, alongside Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson and others.

The arrests were the result of 11 indictments handed down by a Dallas County grand jury on Jan. 11.

According to Marshall, agencies worked from February 2016 to July 2017 gathering evidence through wiretaps and surveillance on the alleged drug-trafficking network.

The following suspects were arrested:

-Marcus Oneil Pritchett, also known as “Mack,” 26, charged with Violating the Drug Trafficking Enterprise Act (1 count), Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count), Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine (21 counts) and Conspiracy to Unlawfully Distribute Cocaine (9 counts); He also faces federal indictments for various charges.

-David Dashawn Lowe, also known as “Lil Lowe,” 30, charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Trafficking Enterprise Act (1 count), Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count), and Conspiracy to Unlawfully Distribute Cocaine (1 count); He also faces federal indictments for various charges.

-Keisha Latreece West, 38, charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Trafficking Enterprise Act (1 count) and Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine (2 counts)

-Irvin Montel West, also known as “Trippy,” 22, charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Trafficking Enterprise Act (1 count) and Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine (1 count)

-Leo Carter, also known as “Bo Peep,” 25, charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Trafficking Enterprise Act (1 count) and Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine (1 count)

-Jamarrious Shaw, also known as “Dukie Duke,” 23, charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Trafficking Enterprise Act (1 count) and Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine (1 count)

-Jeremiah Brown, also known as “Unc,” 59, charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Trafficking Enterprise Act (1 count) and Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine (1 count)

-Mitchell Williams Jr., also known as “Mini Man,” 20, charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Trafficking Enterprise Act (1 count) and Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine (1 count)

-Kareen Walker, also known as “Chrome,” 35, charged with Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Trafficking Enterprise Act (1 count) and Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine (1 count)

-Jamarcus Jermaine Brenson, also known as “Lil Savage,” 21, charged with Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine (1 count)

-Choiis Jamal Kathevian Harris, 22, charged with Unlawful Distribution of Cocaine (1 count)

Bret Hamilton, Drug Enforcement Administration Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the state of Alabama, said more arrests linked to the drug operation are expected in the future.

He said the network was responsible for moving hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine and meth.

“It’s a typical gang organization. It has a hierarchy. It has lieutenants and captains, it has enforcers, people who don’t necessarily deal with dope but they keep the guns and are told to go out and enforce rules that other folks are expected to abide by,” Hamilton said. “They’ve proven that they’ll enforce those rules by shooting one another.”

Marshall said these 11 arrests are just the beginning.

“This is not an end. This is a message that we’re here, and were going to continue to work to help,” Marshall said.

During the press conference, Hamilton mentioned 17-year-old Christopher Lee, who was shot and killed in a drive-by on July 3, 2017 in front of a home on Washington Street. He said Lee was killed while minding his own business.

Two of the men arrested for their alleged involvement in the drug-trafficking network were charged with capital murder in Lee’s death, Jamarrious Shaw and Mitchell Williams.

Hamilton said he could not discuss the details of the connection of Lee’s death to the drug operation.

“That’s going to be part of a federal indictment at some point, so I don’t want to go any further with that,” Hamilton said.