A routine attempt to serve civil process at an Ozark home led to a drug trafficking arrest Tuesday after deputies reported smelling marijuana inside the residence, according to the Dale County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were serving civil papers at a home on Bivins Drive when they detected what the sheriff’s office described as a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. Investigators secured the scene, obtained a search warrant and searched the residence.

During the search, investigators recovered approximately 17 pounds of marijuana, multiple firearms and more than $18,000 in cash.

Gerald Rattery, 41, of Ozark, was arrested and charged with drug trafficking. According to the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, Rattery was already out on bond on previous drug trafficking charges in Dale and Houston counties at the time of his arrest.

In a statement, Sheriff Mason Bynum said, “The Dale County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to aggressively pursuing those who distribute illegal narcotics in our communities and will continue working to hold repeat offenders accountable. We are grateful for the vigilance and professionalism of our deputies, whose attention to detail during a routine civil process led to the seizure of a significant quantity of illegal drugs and currency.”

One of those previous cases was announced in April, when the Dothan Police Department charged Rattery with conspiracy to traffic marijuana after investigators intercepted a package containing approximately 10 pounds of marijuana that was delivered to a Dothan address. That case is separate from the charges announced Tuesday.

The investigation remains ongoing, according to the sheriff’s office.