Special to the Enquirer

Agents with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force, ALEA Region F Drug Task Force and officers with the Decatur Police Department worked jointly in the execution of a search warrant in the 2100 block of Shady Grove Lane in Decatur Nov. 12.  

In conjunction with several manned-surveillance hours by drug agents, anonymous tips by citizens to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office TipLink aided in the seizure of methamphetamine, heroin, stolen weapons and property, numerous drug paraphernalia items and U.S. currency.  

While conducting surveillance, agents performed a traffic stop on Richard Steven Palma, 36, Decatur, and Ashley Nicole Wright, 22, Danville, as they left the residence.  

Officers discovered a large quantity of U.S. currency and controlled prescription medication on Palma’s person. Wright was found to be in possession of a quantity of a crystalline substance that field tested positive as methamphetamine and numerous drug paraphernalia items.  

At that point agents obtained a search warrant for Palma’s residence on Shady Grove Lane.  

In the home, agents deployed the MCSO’s new narcotics K9 and recovered quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia items. They also located numerous firearms, one of which was reported stolen through the Hartselle Police Department.  

In addition to the stolen gun, agents located a pickup truck that contained several items that might have been stolen from various victims in the area.  

Investigators with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division are attempting to determine whether any items were stolen. Additional charges are possible.  

Drug agents placed Palma under arrest for trafficking in methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a controlled substance–heroin.  

Wright was placed under arrest for unlawful possession of a controlled substance–methamphetamine.  

They were transported to the Morgan County Jail without incident.