Animal control officer busted trying to buy steroids from an undercover cop.

An on-duty uniformed employee of Cullman County was taken into custody by law enforcement authorities after attempting to purchase drugs from an undercover officer.

Josh Smith was taken into custody by agents with the Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team last week. He was charged with unlawful receiving and possession of a controlled substance.

Smith, who is a Cullman County Animal Control officer, was booked driving a county-owned vehicle and was wearing his uniform at the time of the arrest.

Smith is accused of buying steroids from an undercover officer. He was pulled over and taken into custody by law enforcement following the alleged purchase.

Cullman Police Department Assistant Chief Craig Green said Animal Control Director Tim McCoy was contacted before the controlled sell, which was monitored by law enforcement, and that he picked up Smith’s county-owned vehicle and equipment following the arrest.

Because of the sensitivity surrounding Smith’s position as a Cullman County employee, authorities with the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office asked an official with Cullman Police Department to be present during the controlled sell.

“I received a call from CNET about the situation, asking if our department could have someone present at the time of the arrest because of the nature of this being a county employee,” Green said. “Sheriff (Mike) Rainey was aware of what was taking place. They didn’t want any questions or concerns with them being a county office arresting another county employee.

“I went only as support and CNET handled the details of the arrest.”

According to Green, CNET agent Chris Thomason organized the controlled sell.

“Before the sell was made, Thomason made the decision that this would be a bust-buy,” Green said. “The CNET guys handled everything properly and the arrest was made.”