More than 50 people were taken into custody in east Alabama in an initiative dubbed “Operation March Madness.”

Teams of law enforcement officers fanned out across the county at 6 a.m. Monday, armed with a stack of outstanding drug warrants, said Sheriff Jonathon Horton.

The teams included Etowah County deputies and agents with the drug task force, as well as police officers from Gadsden, Glencoe, Southside, Altoona, Rainbow City and Attalla. U.S. Marshals and FBI agents also took part.

The four team were armed with warrants for about 135 suspects, most wanted for drug trafficking, drug distribution and drug possession, the sheriff said.

Fifty-three people were taken into custody. Some of them will face new charges after officers confiscated drugs and drug paraphernalia during the roundup.

“The teamwork that was displayed on Monday was exceptional,’’ Horton said. “Teamwork and communication are essential for successful operations, and we are fortunate to have both.”