Cullman County narcotics agents arrested a local couple Thursday for their alleged involvement in one of the larger illegal prescription drug dealing operations in recent memory.

Samuel Alfred Aaron, 66, was arrested on a Cullman County grand jury indictment of four counts of trafficking illegal drugs and six counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. His wife, Darlene Annette Aaron, 36, was arrested on a grand jury indictment on three counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and one count of trafficking illegal drugs.

“We feel they were dealing pretty substantial amounts of drugs,” said Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden.

The Aarons were arrested at their Cullman city residence on 4th Ave. S.E., however, Roden noted the couple never sold drugs there.

“We believe at the times they sold drugs, they were at various locations, but not at their current residence,” Roden said.

No drugs were located at the Aarons’ residence.

Roden said the arrests were part of a year-long investigation that began after the Aarons were arrested and released on bond in September 2008 for allegedly distributing prescription drugs from their former residence near Cold Springs School.

Over the past year, Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) agents allegedly observed the Aarons dealing with large amounts of OxyContin “oxycotton” and Methodone pills.

“These are all new offenses that have been brought against them,” Roden said.

To date, investigators do not know where the couple was obtaining the illegal drugs, he said.

Samuel Aaron was incarcerated at the Cullman County Detention Center, but was released Friday on a $140,000 bond. Darlene Aaron was also incarcerated and released Friday, but on a $170,000 bond.

* Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.