Local, state and federal authorities set out to search 20 locations in the Des Moines area at about 5 a.m. Wednesday. It was part of a drug investigation that reaches into several other states. A spokesman for Des Moines Police says their investigation of a “methamphetamine distribution network” in Des Moines began three months ago. It grew into a joint operation with the state’s Division of Narcotics Enforcement and federal A-T-F agents.

According to a statement from Des Moines Police, the drug ring has been distributing “large quantities” of meth. Federal authorities said of the six men who were arrested, one is from the State of Washington. Four are from Des Moines and the other person under arrest is from Elkhart. All six are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. (Their names, age and city of residence are listed below):

• Shannon Lee Paxton, 46, of Des Moines
• Kerry Drew Haegele, 47, of Des Moines
• Fidel Rios, Jr., 34, of Pasco, Washington
• Kira Fallis, 26, of Elkhart
• John Archer, 52, of Des Moines
• Charles Astley, 63, of Des Moines