Months of investigation led to a drug bust.

When police went after more than two dozen suspected drug dealers.

Most of the suspects are accused of selling various types of prescription medications such as OxyContin.

Kentucky state police say they used confidential informants to make undercover drug buys during months of investigation.

They say Monday's arrests are just part of their overall fight against an ongoing epidemic in eastern Kentucky.

Officers point out that eastern Kentucky is ranked number one in the nation for it's prescription drug problem.

There was a study done and there is 15 pounds of pills for every man, woman and child in the state of Kentucky for a year that's consumed just in southeast Kentucky alone,” Trooper Walt Meachum said.

With help from Barbourville Police and the Knox County Sheriff's Office the Kentucky State Police were able to round up at least 20 of the suspects.

They say they'll be going after the rest of the more than 30 charged in the coming days.

• Charles Bargo, age 48 of Hinkle, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Travis Marcum, age 21 of Calebs Creek, KY. was charged with two counts of Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Karyn Layne, age 54 of Barbourville, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree, Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree.
• Billie Mills, age 48 of Hinkle, KY. was charged with Sale of Simulated Substance.
• Bridget Bingham, age 28 of Cannon, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Joni Lee, age 42 of Hinkle, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 3rd degree.
• Maggie Hensley, age 63 of Barbourville, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Thelma Davis, age 41 of Barbourville, KY. was charged with three counts of Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Dexter Messer Jr., age 28 of Girdler, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree and Persistent Felony Offender 2nd degree.
• Ashley Jones, age 25 of Hinkle, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree and Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree.
• Sandy Woolum, age 40 of Barbourville, KY. was charged with three counts of Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree and one count of Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree.
• Archie Baker, age 36 of Barbourville, KY. was charged with two counts of Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Randy Hubbard, age 37 of Hinkle, KY. was charged with two counts of Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Jason Riley, age 33 of Hinkle, KY. was charged with two counts of Trafficking Controlled Substance 1st degree.
• Arville Collinsworth, age 73 of Gray, KY. was charged with two counts of Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Ronald Bright, age 41 of Barbourville, KY. was charged with three counts of Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Paul Hammons, age 51 of Barbourville, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree and Persistent Felony Offender 2nd degree.
• Roy L. Gray, age 27 of Heidrick, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Ottis Sizemore Jr., age 44 of Stinking Creek, KY. was charged with Trafficking Marijuana over 8 oz.
• Mearl Abner, age 40 of Girdler, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
• Ashley Hubbard, age 21 of Gray, KY. was charged with Trafficking Controlled Substance 2nd degree.
Other arrests are pending at this time for subjects that were not located during the round up. To anonymously report any type of suspected illegal drug activity, citizens can call the KSP toll-free drug tip hotline, 1-800-DOPETIP. The hotline is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.