MANATEE -- More than 70 people were arrested during a recent month-long operation aimed at preventing underage youth from buying and using alcohol, tobacco and various forms of synthetic drugs -- and the businesses that might sell to them, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

From March 4 to April 7, deputies working on Operation Dry Spring made 73 arrests, including 33 arrests for underage alcohol sales, a news release states.

The operation was in conjunction with the Florida Sheriffs Task Force. Statewide, there were than 5,000 arrests during the operation, according to the sheriff's office.