SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Federal authorities detailed what led to the arrest of dozens of people this month in relation to meth trafficking and producing.

The 31 suspects come from seven counties in Central and Northern New York and the Southern Tier, as well as one from Arizona.

Acting United States Attorney Grant Jaquith says some are charged with possessing pseudoephedrine, knowing it would be used to make meth.

Others have been charged with possession, intent to distribute, or distribution of meth.

"Methamphetamine is highly addictive. So users may embark on the slow death of addiction or death from stroke heart attack or other organ failure and the number of overdose deaths involving methamphetamine have doubled in just two years," said Jaquith.

He says some of the hardest hit areas include Jefferson, Oneida, Oswego and Broome counties.