OZARK
The Ozark Police Department announced Wednesday that an officer seized a large quantity of illegal liquor during a traffic stop earlier this month.
According to police, on January 9, 2026, Officer Dylan Griffin with the department’s Crime Suppression Unit conducted a traffic enforcement stop for a traffic violation. During the stop, Officer Griffin observed multiple containers holding a clear liquid in plain view inside the vehicle.
Further investigation revealed the liquid to be illegally distilled moonshine. Authorities say a total of 81 gallons were seized — an amount that exceeds what is legally allowed to possess without a proper license under Alabama law.
Police identified the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle as Learndis Hamilton, 61, who was reportedly traveling from Florida to an unknown destination at the time of the stop.
Hamilton was subsequently arrested, and the case has since been turned over to the Alabama Beverage Control Board for further investigation.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
