For The News Courier

On Monday night, Oct. 28, the Limestone County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Narcotics Division and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team conducted a search warrant at a residence in the 900 Block of Beech Street.

The search warrant was the result of CID and Narcotics investigators working together on a Fentanyl overdose death investigation.

While conducting the search warrant, investigators recovered drugs and drug paraphernalia inside of the residence where a 49-year-old Athens male and 34-year-old Athens female were detained. Probable cause was found to arrest both the male and female.

The 49-year-old Athens resident has been charged with Drug Trafficking-Fentanyl, Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance — Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana II.

The 34-year-old Athens resident has also been charged with Drug Trafficking — Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana II.

The male is being held in the Limestone County Jail on a $1,533,500 bond. While the female is also being held in the Limestone County Jail on a $17,000 bond.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each deputy and investigator dedicated to this case,” Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said in a media release. “We will continue to thoroughly investigate every potential lead related to the illegal trafficking and distribution of Fentanyl in Limestone County. If you have any information about Fentanyl dealers in our community, please share it with us as soon as possible. Your tips could help save a life.”

The next day, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at about 9:30 p.m., Sheriff Deputy Bryce Camp performed a traffic stop on a vehicle for equipment violations in the area of Nick Davis Road and Mooresville Road.

Camp identified the driver, and only occupant of the vehicle, as a 29-year-old Athens resident. Probable cause was developed to search the vehicle, and deputies located Fentanyl, meth, pills, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Deputy Camp arrested the female and she was placed in the Limestone County Jail on the following charges; Drug Trafficking — Fentanyl, two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance — Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana II.

The 29-year-old Athens resident has her bond set at $9,500. She is awaiting a bond hearing for her remaining Drug Trafficking — Fentanyl charge.

“I’m incredibly proud of Deputy Camp for successfully getting these drugs off our streets,” McLaughlin stated in another media release. “We are committed to aggressively pursuing those who traffic and distribute this dangerous substance. If you have any information about Fentanyl dealers in our community, please share it with us as soon as possible. Your tip could help save a life.”