We can only imagine the painstaking effort it took for law officials to nab the 10 people in the recent drug raid. And we can only hope that more arrests are made, if needed, and more unsavory “businesses” forced to close.

We’re finding out, as more information becomes available, just how involved a criminal presence has been in our city.

Cocaine, marijuana and even guns were seized in last Friday’s raids on two now-closed Ottumwa bars — The Plowboy on Main Street and the Dugout on Church Street.

The nine men and one woman were arrested in Ottumwa residences, and the bars’ owner in St. Louis, Mo.

Many Ottumwans are expressing their satisfaction that something is being done, after months and possibly years of rumors that bad things were going on in a few business establishments.

Unlike television crime shows in which the crimes are usually solved and wrapped up within an hour, real life solving of crimes can take weeks, months, even years.

Law enforcement officers work undercover to discover what criminal activities are taking place. This may take several visits to suspicious places.

And, evidence has to be gathered.

A sting takes a long time to set up. In the recent Ottumwa action, close to 200 officers from various law enforcement agencies were involved in the raids and ensuing arrests.

Today, most of those people arrested will be arraigned in federal court in Des Moines. The process of possible convictions has just begun.

We extend high praise and accolades for the work done by all the law enforcement agencies involved.

We especially praise our own Ottumwa Police Department which works hard every day to ensure our safety.

To all those who have worried about the safety of Ottumwa’s downtown after dark, rest assured. The latest police action proves law enforcement professionals are on task and working to make our community a safe place to live.