Law enforcement officials say the arrests of 14 people last week has made a serious dent in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Pekin and Peoria areas.

The arrests stem from a new effort to eradicate meth production in the area.

The suspects were indicted Sept. 29 on charges of conspiracy to make and distribute meth, but the charges were sealed until last Thursday.

The indictment says the conspiracy lasted from 2009 to 2010 in Peoria and Tazewell County and involved more than 500 grams of meth. That number is not a true measure of the drugs involved but rather a statutory limit for a sentencing range of 10 years to life in prison.

Officials urged the community to help fight the meth problem.