UTICA - Officials from the U.S. Attorney's Office announced the arrests of seven individuals from Central New York who may have manufactured their own methamphetamine - an illegal substance.

The individuals arrested are not accused of creating methamphetamine, but purchasing an over-the-counter product called "ephedrine" which is a substance used in meth production.

Buying more than nine grams of ephedrine in a 30 day period is a violation of a law enacted in 2006 designed to help stop meth production nationwide.

Ephedrine is found in cough, cold and allergy products,and drug stores keep log books of people who buy them.

Here are the names of those charged:

*Carolyn Atkyns of West Winfield

*Trevor Horton of West Winfield

*Terry Merrick of West Winfield

*Robert Birmingham also of West Winfield

*Lisa Merwin of Sauquoit

*Jeffery Kupris of Sauquoit

*Pamela Vannort of Oriskany Falls

U.S. Attorneys involved say meth production won't be tolerated.

"We have had methamphetamine crop up in different parts of our state and we committed to doing our best to in conjunction with the law enforcement agencies to make sure that that doesn't become a reality in the Mohawk Valley," said John Katko of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The products were purchased at various drug stores in Utica, Yorkville, Waterville, Clinton, Whitesboro, Ilion, Little Falls, and Richfield Springs.

Again, none of those we mentioned are charged with making methamphetamine, they have all been released pending further charges.

Photos of the female suspects in the case were not released by authorities to the media.