Update (AP) – The Kansas Bureau of investigation says 81 people were arrested on drug-related charges after a lengthy investigation by local and state authorities.

The KBI said in a news release Thursday that arrests were made Tuesday and Wednesday in and around Junction City, Manhattan, Grandview Plaza and Ogden. Many of the arrests involved conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.

Investigators seized a variety of narcotics and 17 firearms. The KBI says several children were placed in protective custody after the arrests.

The 13-month investigation was conducted by the KBI, Geary County law enforcement, Junction City police and Grandview Plaza police. More than 180 members of law enforcement worked on the operation.

From Dewey Terrill at Little Apple Post

The KBI coordinated raids throughout the Junction City – Manhattan area have resulted in numerous drug related arrests. The Thursday booking reports from the Riley County Police Department contained the arrest of just under 30 people on drug related allegations ranging from sale and distribution of controlled substances to sale, distribution, and cultivation of opiates and narcotics. There were multiple offenses listed, varying by case.

According to the RCPD people that have been booked on drug related allegations in the Riley County jail during the past 24 hours  included James Smith Jr., Emerson Johnson Jr., Anthony Smith, Kenneth Bellamy of Junction City, Walter Taylor and Darren MacDowell of Manhattan, Doris Davis, April Banks, Angela Dunlap, Charles Humphreys, David Morgan, Morris Davis, Ronald Gayle, Joi Humphreys, and John Hurst all of Junction City.

Others booked on drug related allegations include Rosella Johnson, Olevia Humphreys, Barbara Crumpton, janice Rodriguez, Richard Verkerke, Susan Wilson of Junction City plus Sheila Scott and Nolan Groff of Manhattan.

The KBI said they would release more information today. A press conference is scheduled at 4 p.m. at the operations command post at a former call center  building in Junction City. Multiple law enforcement agencies and officers have participated in the execution of search warrants in connection with this effort.