Authorities say they’ve broken up a meth distribution ring. Early Wednesday morning, a drug sweep in central Iowa resulted in the arrests of nine people from the Marshall County area.

Authorities say eight people from Marshalltown, Liscomb and Steamboat Rock are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. A ninth person from Marshalltown is charged with aiding and abetting a felon in possession of a firearm.

Law officers executed four search warrants with more than 50 officers from local, state and federal agencies collaborating in the arrest. The defendants are being held without bond pending an appearance before a federal magistrate in Des Moines.

By Lance Renaud , Marshalltown