A massive law enforcement operation over the past three days netted nearly 100 drug arrests — arguably the largest crackdown ever in Cullman County.

Approximately 113 arrest warrants were served, and 96 arrests were made, with several of the charges including unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, and unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance. Lesser charges, such as drug and paraphernalia possession, were also included.

“This was the largest law enforcement joint effort on illegal drug activity in the history of Cullman County,” Cullman County Sheriff Mike Rainey said. “I was elected for this purpose, and this is the largest crackdown ever here.”

More than 60 law enforcement agents from the sheriff’s office, Cullman Police Department, Hanceville Police Department, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), US Marshals, Alabama Department of Corrections, Cullman Fire Department, local district attorney’s office, Cullman Emergency Medical Services, and the Cullman County Detention Center were involved in the sweep.

“This type of operation takes a lot of planning and effort, and the entire roundup could not have gone any smoother,” Rainey said. “I would like to thank Joey Cone, director of the [Cullman] narcotics enforcement team (CNET), his agents, and all law enforcement agencies that helped to make this roundup such a success.”

The agents involved were divided into eight teams, then spread out across the area this week to serve warrants in almost every corner of Cullman County.

“The arrests were widespread, and we had some from just about every community,” CNET Director Joey Cone said. “The majority of these arrests were made during the morning hours.”

Most of the arrests involved methamphetamine or prescription drugs, though a few did involve cocaine and heroine. Cone also noted one indoor marijuana growing operation was broken up as part of the effort.

“There were no active meth labs recovered, but we did find some ingredients, which led to other arrests at some residences,” he said. “We did find one marijuana growing operation, and shut it down. We’re just very pleased with how this worked out.”

The massive CNET investigation began four months ago, and Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper said most arrests developed from anonymous reports filed by the community.

“So often you get calls about a house down the street, and someone asks why you haven’t done anything about it, and an investigation is ongoing but you can’t tell them that,” he said. “This is our chance to really show the people we have been working, and responding to those tips over the last few months.”

Assistant District Attorney Jeff Roberts said the local office is ready to move forward with these cases in the courtroom, as well.

“This was a significant step forward in combating drugs in this county, and we will prosecute those involved to the full extent of the law,” he said.

Though this operation came to an end today, Rainey said his office will remain vigilant and continue to focus on the drug problem in Cullman County.

“This roundup and the ones to follow are what I promised the people of Cullman County,” he said. “My department has made the war on drugs our number one priority and I want everyone to know we are just getting started.”

Those arrested include:

* Rodney Alexander, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Robert Barnett, unlawful possession of marijuana.

* Larry Bagwell, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Dennis Bell, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana.

* Richard Bollen, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* Mark Burnett, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Rebecca Burnett, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Keith Brasher, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

* Kathleen Bohannon, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Danny Chaffin, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Bridget Cofer, unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

* Nathanial Conn, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Vickie Conn, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Jessica Campbell, illegal possession of prescription drugs, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Lisa Campbell, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Chrystal Clifton, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Tina Dean, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* Guy Duncan, unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

* Nicholas Eipp, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Daniel Esponza, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Kala Evans, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Aaron George, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, illegal possession of a prescription drug.

* Cody Goodwin, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana.

* Joseph Goodwin, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Susan Guthery, unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

* Patricia Hass, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* James Hill, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* Nancy Hinman, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Gordon Hollis, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Danny Hudson, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (4).

* Angela Hutson, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* David James, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

* Sandra Jones, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Justin Kilgore, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Tiffany Lee, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* Amanda Maldanodo, unlawful possession of marijuana.

* Sonya Mathis, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

* James Mcalpine, unlawful possessions of marijuana.

* Michael McLeod, unlawful distribution of controlled substance (2).

* Carrissa Mcdonald, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* William McGraw, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Angela McMullen, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

* Michael McPherson, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana.

* Chad Milligan, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* Brandi Myrick, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Marco Ortiz, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Jamie Pair, unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

* Pamela Paridee, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Rita Parris, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* Christopher Peak, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (3).

* Stella Perkins, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Deborah Phillips, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* Greg Phillips, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* Jacolby Pitts, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Mary Pritchard, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Josh Reed, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

* Monica Reeves, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Vanessa Robertson, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Danny Sears, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Darren Silleven, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (3).

* Donald Sizemore, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Gerald Smith, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

* Mary Smith, unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

* Jeffrey Speakman, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Christian Stanberry, unlawful possession of marijuana.

* Jerome Staton, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Christopher Swafford, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

* Carlos Tankersly, unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

* Arik Tanner, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Justin Taylor, unlawful possession of marijuana.

* Sherea Thursby, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* James Thompson, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

* James Trevathon, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* Adam Uselton, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Jessie Wagner, unlawful possession of marijuana.

* Josh Waldrop, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2).

* Billy Walton, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Ricky Weaver, unlawful possession of controlled substance.

* Christopher Whatley, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Dana Whitehead, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Janet Willingham, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance.

* Jason Witt, unlawful possession of marijuana.

* Hope Wright, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Jessie Farr, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Dewey Akers, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Theresa Vasquez Hernandez, unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

* Judy Kent Harris, unlawful possession of controlled substance.

* Keith Dewayne Harris, unlawful possession of controlled substance.

* David Bates, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of marijuana.

* Betty Elliott, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Tony Ray Carter, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Melissa Peoples, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance.

* Bobby Johnson, unlawful possession of controlled substance.

* Scotty White, failure to appear (1).

* Colton Sanders, failure to appear (2).

* Andre Young, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.