Arrest Made in Methamphetamine Distribution Investigation

Emanuel Gideon Merritt, 43, Douglas, GA

Coffee County, GA  – After a long investigation into a known methamphetamine distribution channel in the Oak Park area of Coffee County, locally referred to as the Sand Ridge, law enforcement has made an arrest.

Detectives and agents with the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit (DCDU) began the investigation following numerous complaints from community members about illegal drug activity in the area. Once enough evidence was gathered, a search warrant was issued for a residence on Amber Hill Road.

On execution of the warrant, members of the Douglas-Coffee Drug Unit, the newly formed Drug Interdiction and Criminal Enforcement (D.I.C.E.) Unit, and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID) arrested 43-year-old Emmanuel Merritt of Douglas. Merritt was transported to the Coffee County Pre-Trial Detention Center without incident.

As of Thursday, November 13, 2025, Merritt faces charges under Georgia law including possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of firearms during the commission of a felony. If convicted, these charges carry serious consequences, including the possibility of 5 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $1,000,000 for distribution-related offenses, 2 to 15 years in prison and fines up to $100,000 for methamphetamine possession, and 1 to 5 years in prison for firearms violations.

Sheriff Fred Cole said, “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.”