Several secret drug-related indictments were issued by a Delaware County grand jury last week.

Seven individuals were indicted Friday on charges ranging from permitting drug abuse to trafficking in drugs.

Officials from the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office said secret indictments are common, especially in drug investigations. “A secret indictment is a sealed indictment pending the service of a warrant on the defendant,” said Kyle Rohrer, first assistant prosecutor in the prosecutor’s office. “Once the defendant is arrested, the indictment is unsealed.”

Prosecutors say one reason an indictment may be secret is to prevent a suspect from fleeing.

According to court documents, warrants have been issued for all the individuals’ arrests.