MANSFIELD -- Two separate conspiracies led to the federal indictment of 39 people in a series of drug trafficking busts Wednesday morning in Richland County, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Between 250 and 300 agents were involved in Wednesday's raids, which encompassed a ring that law enforcement tracked from California to Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, to Mansfield.

Eighteen people are charged in a 41-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, law enforcement officials reported. The defendants are all from the Mansfield area unless otherwise noted.

According to authorities they are: Lennon Hayes, 44; Roberto Calderon, 36, of Chicago; Demond Steele, 45; Tara Jones, 29; Edward Jones, 39, of Chicago; Mazzarney Hardy, 39, of Maywood, Illinois; Michael Ginn, 28; Steve Hollins, 42; Cupree Howard, 39; Marcus Garmon, 32, Ashley Kriedman-Crider, 28; Rickell Fields, 24; Marrico King, 40; Terrance Jones, 27; Natasha Brookins, 34; James Alexander, 32; Vanness Oliver, 39; and Jacquis Mordica, 26.

In a different case, authorities say 21 people are charged in a 31-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana. The defendants are all from the Mansfield area unless otherwise noted.

According to authorities they are: Kevin Burton, 41; Antoine Jefferson, 39; Damon Slaughter, 41, of Westerville; Lewis Pinkston Jr., 40; Brian Nowell, 44; Dorthea Burton, 34; Larry Ferguson 41, of Louisville, Kentucky; Ericka Fortner, 27; Shadawn Smith, 25; Corey Motley, 36; Bronson Jones, 43; Dion Gamble, 34; Willie Feagin, 62; Jon Martel Jefferson, 30; Keith Maddox, 36; Amanda Huffman, 28; Michael Sloan, 60; Shantia Crawford, 27; Cardoves Haslett, 34; Shakela Williams, 23; and Joe Ware, 20.

"These 39 individuals were involved in a violent drug-trafficking organization right here in Middle America -- Mansfield, Ohio," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. "Law enforcement will continue to work together and use every tool in our tool bag to rid our communities of dangerous drugs and firearms and hold these criminals accountable."

In one conspiracy Lennon Hayes and Edward Jones obtained large amounts of heroin from Roberto Calderon in Chicago and then sold it in the Mansfield area. This took place between June, 2015 and the present, according to the indictment.

Hayes and Jones sold the heroin to other dealers including: Demond Steele; Tara Jones; Mazzarney Hardy; Michael Ginn; Steve Hollins; Cupree Howard; Marcus Garmon; Ashley Kriedman-Crider; Rickell Fields; Marrico King; Terrance Jones; Natasha Brookins; James Alexander; Vanness Oliver; and Jacquis Mordica; according to the indictment.

Members of the conspiracy used their residences in Mansfield for the purposes of storing and selling the heroin including: 575 Crescent Ave. (Hayes and Tara Jones); 278 S. Main St. (Hardy); 371 Second Ave. and 743 Bowman St. (Edward Jones); and 204 Linden Road (Hollins Cupree), according to the indictment.

Hayes, Jones and others used firearms and other weapons to protect their drug trafficking activities, according to the indictment.

"These groups brought heroin into Mansfield from out of state, sold it from houses in neighborhoods with families and used firearms to protect their operations," said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. "Law enforcement did a tremendous job in dismantling these organizations."

In a different conspiracy, officials say heroin, cocaine and marijuana was obtained from suppliers in Columbus and California then resold in Mansfield and Louisville, Kentucky.

Kevin Burton obtained large amounts of cocaine from Antoine Jefferson. Burton sold the cocaine and also cooked some of it into crack cocaine. Burton and Lewis Pinkston also obtained large amounts of heroin from Damon Slaughter in Columbus, according to the indictment.

Burton sold the drugs to other dealers in the Mansfield area including: Pinkston; Brian Nowell; Dorothea Burton; Larry Ferguson; Corey Motley; Bronson Jones; Dion Gamble; Willie Feagin; Jon Martel Jefferson; Keith Maddox; Amanda Huffman; Michael Sloan; Rochelle Arrington; Shantia Crawford; Cardoves Haslett; Shakela Williams; and Joe Ware, according to the indictment.

Some of the heroin and cocaine was later transported to Louisville and sold by Dorthea Burton and Larry Ferguson, according to the indictment.

Members of the conspiracy used their residences in Mansfield for the purposes of storing and selling the drugs including: 160 Reba Ave. (Burton and Fortner); 642 Johns Ave. and 461 Bush Ave. (Maddox); 708 Carol Lane (Jones); 1520 Silver Lane (Jefferson); and 35 W. Arch St. (Motley), according to the indictment.

Burton, Maddox, Jefferson, Ware and others used firearms to protect their drug trafficking activities, according to the indictment.

"Federal and local law enforcement are working together to combat the opioid epidemic in Richland County from many fronts," Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon said. "This investigation focused on the ones distributing heroin and drugs which are killing people in our community."

Officers from the Mansfield Police, METRICH, Richland County Sheriff's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Agency were all involved in the sweep. A helicopter circled over several blocks in south Mansfield as commuters made their way to work on Wednesday morning.

"The collaborative efforts between local law enforcement and our federal partners has made a significant impact on drug trafficking within our communities," said Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz. "We plan to continue this effort by targeting more dealers polluting our (community)."

A soft mist drizzled as investigators from the FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency wrapped up raids on South Main and South Diamond Streets on Wednesday morning.

A barking canine could be heard behind a fence with a Beware of Dog sign at 138 S. Diamond St.

"Why don't we let it out and see if it's friendly?" a DEA agent joked with his colleagues.

Three vehicles with FBI personnel completed their work on South Main Street, while DEA agents were mobilized a couple of blocks east on Diamond Street.