As part of one of Limestone County’s largest counterfeit busts, nearly $23,000 in fake cash, a vehicle and $4,400 in legitimate currency were seized by the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, an official said Wednesday.

The investigation began in December, when 49-year-old Paula Delaine Paulk of Elkmont was captured on security camera passing counterfeit bills at a local store, according to Sheriff’s Office deputy and spokesman Stephen Young.

“On Monday, deputies responded to the Owens community after receiving reports that a man had attempted to pass counterfeit $100 bills at several stores in the area,” Young said. “Deputies located a man matching the description given at the Village Mart on Highway 99.”

The man was witnessed passing money to 47-year-old Billy Jay Howell of Elkmont in the parking lot, Young said. Both men were then detained, and investigators found additional counterfeit money in Howell’s possession.

Investigators obtained a search warrant Tuesday for a residence in the 16000 block of Fort Hampton Road, where Paulk and Howell lived together.

“When they arrived, Paulk was in the backyard starting to burn a trash bag,” Young said. “Investigators put out the fire and found counterfeit money in the trash bag. They then searched the residence and seized more counterfeit along with real cash, a vehicle, printer, ink and other items used to produce counterfeit (money).”

Young said only 33 serial numbers were used for the nearly 300 bills seized, which totaled $22,930. He encouraged people to be vigilant in checking bills they are given, including looking for a watermark, magnetic strips on bills of $5 or larger, holographic ink and proper texture.

Howell is charged with 15 counts of first-degree possession of a forged instrument, with additional charges to be sent to a grand jury, Young said. Howell remained in the Limestone County Jail with bail set at $75,000 as of Wednesday morning.

Paulk is charged with one count of first-degree possession of a forged instrument. She was released Tuesday on $5,000 bond.

Investigators believe there is a large amount of counterfeit money still in circulation in the area.