By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
OZARK, Ala. — A Dale County man is facing a drug trafficking charge after deputies serving legal paperwork at his residence reportedly discovered a large quantity of marijuana, firearms, and thousands of dollars in cash.
According to the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, deputies went to a home on Bivins Drive in Ozark on Tuesday to serve civil papers on 41-year-old Gerald Rattery. While at the residence, deputies said they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the home.
Investigators were called to the scene, and the residence was secured while a search warrant was obtained.
During the search, authorities reported finding approximately 17 pounds of marijuana, multiple firearms, drug packaging materials, and thousands of dollars in cash believed to be connected to illegal drug activity. Investigators also recovered evidence they say supports allegations of marijuana trafficking.
Rattery was arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana. He was booked into the Dale County Jail.
The sheriff’s office said Rattery has prior ties to drug trafficking investigations and is listed as an Ozark resident with connections to West Palm Beach, Florida.
Officials emphasized that the investigation remains active, and additional charges could be filed as investigators continue processing evidence collected during the search.
Under Alabama law, anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
