FORT PIERCE, Fla. —  Police have arrested 35 people in connection with a prostitution ring that used the popular Internet classified ad service Craigslist to set up illegal "dates."

The arrests are the result of a three-day undercover operation by St. Lucie County Sheriff's that resulted in charges of soliciting, deriving income from prostitution and procuring prostitutes. Deputies posing as customers used the online service to arrange the service of prostitutes.

The prostitutes then implicated pimps. Detectives also placed ads on Craigslist to lure prospective customers and arrested them when they responded. Craigslist, which allows users to sell, buy or list want ads for free, has a disclaimer that the site is not to be used for illegal activities.