Twenty-one people face federal drug and firearms conspiracy charges under an indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. Court for Western Missouri.

U.S. Attorney Beth Philliips says the drug-trafficking operation allegedly operated from Kansas City, Kansas into northwest Missouri.  ATF Special Agent in Charge Michael P. Gleysteen says the indictment is the culmination of over two years investigation.

The grand jury charges 21-people with crimes including methamphetamine and gun conspiracy violations.  Several of the defendants are Mexican nationals with unknown addresses, while most list addresses in Kansas City.

Clinton Sibbit, 42, is from Trenton, Missouri.  Rodney Bethards, 49, is from Laredo, Missouri.  Sibbit and Bethards are charged together with one count of distributing methamphetamine. Sibbit is also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms. The indictment alleges that Sibbit, who has been convicted of a felony, was in possession of a New England Firearms .22-caliber revolver and a Ruger .22-caliber rifle.

In addition to criminal penalties, the government is seeking a money judgment against the defendants for $1,408,000, three homes in Kansas City, Kansas and two vehicles.