CHEYENNE - A sting operation has netted 35 members of a methamphetamine trafficking network operating in southwest and central Wyoming, authorities said today

Residents of Riverton, Rock Springs, Green River, Casper and LaBarge were swept up in the bust, the third major meth distribution ring to be broken up in Wyoming in the last three years.

Three additional defendants have been charged and are still at large. Authorities are not releasing their names.

Authorities also are not talking about how law enforcement managed to penetrate the group, which also operated in Utah, Arizona and Mexico.

Felony charges against the 35 include possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, money laundering, possessing a firearm while in commission of a drug crime, unlawful entry in to the United States and other serious drug-related charges.

If found guilty, the defendants will likely received sentences based on the amount of illegal drugs connected to each of them, said John Powell, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Wyoming.

See more in Wednesday's Casper Star-Tribune.