About 20 people have been arrested and thousands of pounds of marijuana seized in coordinated raids in the Panama City area and in central Florida.

The raids by federal agents as well as local law enforcement authorities broke up what was called the Gulf Cartel.

Central Florida indictments claim the cartel was responsible for bringing thousands of pounds of marijuana to Panama City, where it was distributed locally as well as reshipped to drug dealers in Jacksonville and Orlando.

The feds say the group returned millions of dollars to Panama City where it was exchanged for new marijuana shipments.

The central Florida indictment says the headquarters for the operation was MacAllen, Texas. It also mentioned that a shipment of nearly 3-thousand pounds of marijuana was expected to arrive in Panama City Monday, and that federal agents expected to intercept that shipment during raids Monday night.

Sources tell NewsChannel 7 that local and federal officer arrested a dozen people in Washington County Monday night and seized thousands of pounds of marijuana.

Authorities aren't talk about Monday night's raids, but northern Bay County and Washington County residents reported to NewsChannel 7 that there was large police presence with helicopters in the area.

Authorities are expected to provide more information Wednesday.