Nearly 50 drug-related arrests were made this week in three counties following months of undercover investigation.

Police in Monmouth, Ocean and Essex counties arrested 48 people following an eight-month investigation dubbed Operation Life. The suspects are accused of obtaining heroin and cocaine from Newark to distribute in the Jersey Shore area.

According to authorities, reputed members of the Bloods, Crips and Five Percenter gangs were all involved in the operation.

"Even in these tough economic times, if you are going to profit from illegal drug business, we are going to come at you with every resource available," says Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin.