Oofficials in Maryland announced Tuesday that they've seized "significant quantities" of drugs, weapons and money as part of a multiagency operation.

April 7 (UPI) -- Law enforcement officials in Maryland announced Tuesday that they seized "significant quantities" of illegal drugs, weapons and money as part of a lengthy multi-agency investigation into a drug-trafficking ring.

They also reported 12 arrests, with more possible in the future.

Wilcomico County Sheriff Michael Lewis said more than 42.5 kilograms of cocaine (more than $4 million worth) were seized in the investigation -- the largest cocaine seizure in county history.

"Imagine how much poison was removed from our streets by the hard-working men and women who made this case happen," Lewis said at a Tuesday press conference. "Think about that."

Other seizures connected with the investigation included firearms and $23,000 in cash and other illegal drugs, including crack cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA, fentanyl, psilocybin mushrooms and heroin. Lewis said the Jalisco New Generation cartel, based in Mexico, supplied the drugs.

The 15-month investigation involved 13 agencies, including the Wilcomico and Worcester county sheriff's offices. It started with investigation of Desmond Roberts Jr., who was then linked to a larger drug-trafficking organization, Lewis said. Roberts was arrested and charged with intent to distribute narcotics and released on $10,000 unsecured bond. Police also arrested 11 other people and are seeking La'Quan Alexander Townsend in connection with the case.

"I can't stress enough that this is an ongoing investigation, and we anticipate additional arrests," Lewis said.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the investigation disrupted an organization that was pushing narcotics across the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Baltimore, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Delaware.

"It highlights why today's not just an important and a good day for Wilcomico County, and it's not just an important and a good day for the state of Maryland," he said. "With what this team, and what these individuals and everyone who's worked this case has accomplished, this was a good day for the United States."

Moore said the case involved a sustained team effort with more than 80 search warrants, surveillance operations and undercover work. Lewis noted this as well, saying the 19 wiretaps used in the case took a lot of manpower.

"It took a lot of people to make this happen," he said.