Coffee County Months-Long Drug Investigation Leads to Arrest in Sand Ridge Area

Coffee County, GA – A months-long investigation into a methamphetamine distribution operation in the Oak Park area, commonly known as the Sand Ridge, has led to the arrest of a Douglas man.

The Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit opened the case after a surge of complaints from residents reporting suspected drug activity in the area. After gathering sufficient evidence, investigators secured a search warrant for a home on Amber Hill Road.

When the warrant was executed, members of the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, the newly formed Drug Interdiction and Criminal Enforcement Unit, and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division arrested 43-year-old Emmanuel Merritt of Douglas. He was taken to the Coffee County Pre-Trial Detention Center without incident.

As of Thursday, November 13, 2025, Merritt is facing multiple charges under Georgia law. Those charges include possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of firearms during the commission of a felony. The possible penalties range from 5 to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $1,000,000 for distribution-related offenses, 2 to 15 years and fines up to $100,000 for meth possession, and an additional 1 to 5 years for the firearms charge.

Sheriff Fred Cole said the arrest reflects ongoing efforts to disrupt drug activity in the county. “We’ve had enough with folks bringing this stuff into our community. This stuff destroys lives, breaks families, and puts our children at risk. We’re out here making sure folks stay safe, and if you break the law, we will find you and we will lock you up.”