LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office says two people are facing multiple charges, including drug trafficking, after an investigation that began with an illegal hunting complaint.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the case began in December 2025 when Alabama conservation officers responded to reports of someone illegally hunting on private property in the Tanner community.
Police said they discovered several people occupying the property owner’s tree stand. When police told people to stop, they allegedly ended up running away with their weapons.
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Investigators later identified the suspects and learned they were in the United States illegally. Authorities said the suspect also illegally possessed firearms and controlled substances.
Based on this information, police, with the assistance of multiple agencies, served a search warrant at a home on Nuclear Power Plant Road. During the search, four people were detained. Investigators reported the seizure of 17 pounds of marijuana, three firearms and illegally harvested game.
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Authorities arrested Oralia Salgado Luna, 53, of Mexico, and Gerson Andres Paz Rivera, 32, of Honduras, on charges of drug trafficking (marijuana), illegal alien possession of a firearm, hunting without a permit, and hunting without a nonresident permit. ICE detained two people.
“This case began as a trespassing and illegal hunting complaint, but through strong interagency cooperation, quickly evolved into a major drug trafficking and firearms investigation,” said Limestone County Sheriff Josh McLaughlin. “Limestone County has a long tradition of responsible hunting and respect for private property rights. We take violations of these rights seriously, especially when they involve armed individuals and illegal narcotics.”
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