The investigation into a $2 million cocaine and heroin ring has led to charges being leveled against three individuals said to be operating out of Centre County and its surrounding regions.

The extensive investigation, led by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office and nicknamed "Operation Flat Tire," focused on the alleged trafficking and sale of drugs in the Lock Haven area, according to a press release.

The recent arrests make it clear no region is immune from drug problems, Attorney General Press Secretary Erik Shirk said.

"A lot of other crimes are connected to drugs," he said. "Drugs are not a big city problem, they're not an urban problem -- they're everywhere."

Three individuals investigated by a grand jury saw charges filed against them today -- Michael Marshall, 32, of Augustine, Fla.; Matthew Anderson, 31, of Mill Hall; and Kalen Shaffer, 27, of Jersey Shore. Anderson and Shaffer are being held in Centre County Prison in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, according to the release.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in front of Bellefonte Magisterial District Judge Dan Hoffman.

Though Shirk said the three defendants mainly operated out of Lock Haven, the men allegedly had drug sources in Centre and Clinton counties as well, according to the release. Shirk could not say for certain whether the three men sold drugs to any Penn State students.

Statements from all three men and a number of witnesses alleged the defendants traveled to New York City with Orlando Diaz, an alleged former Latin Kings gang member based out of the Bronx, to purchase drugs on several occasions, according to court documents.

"A significant portion of the drugs sold in Pennsylvania is brought into our communities from New York City," state Attorney General Tom Corbett wrote in the press release.

Diaz and 15 other individuals were arrested in the first portion of the investigation, according to the release, and information they provided led the Attorney General's office to an investigation into the Pennsylvania drug ring.

Diaz is serving 10 to 20 years in state prison, according to the release.

The Attorney General's office built its case through controlled purchases from the defendants, witness statements and confidential informants, according to court documents.

The alleged drug sales under the scope of the grand jury investigation occurred in 2005 and 2006, according to court documents.

The Attorney General's office was pleased its work resulted in arrests, but the process isn't over, Shirk said.

"This was part of a continuing investigation," he said. "We make arrests, we follow our sources and we make more arrests."