MANHATTAN, Kan. (RWN) -- A technology smuggling ring headquartered in this university town has been broken up by State Security.

Nearly 20 people were arrested in a sting dubbed "Operation Gold Standard," which has been active for more than 18 months.

"This is a major breakthrough," said Kalil Sanders, State Security's regional security supervisor. "We've been tracking these scum for so long. They've left a trail of broken promises and broken legs behind them."