GEORGIA — A Coffee County woman was arrested after authorities seized a large quantity of fentanyl that officials say could have resulted in thousands of potentially fatal doses.
According to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, agents with the Douglas Coffee Drug Unit and the D.I.C.E. Unit executed a search warrant on April 15 at a residence on Winterset Circle in Douglas. The search followed a months-long investigation into fentanyl trafficking within the community.
During the operation, 48-year-old Amy Peterson was taken into custody without incident. Investigators reported locating and seizing approximately 35 grams of fentanyl at the residence.
Officials said the amount recovered equates to roughly 35,000 milligrams of fentanyl. Given that as little as two milligrams can be a potentially lethal dose, authorities estimate the seizure represents more than 17,000 potentially fatal doses.
The sheriff’s office described the case as especially severe due to the potency of fentanyl and the potential for widespread harm. Douglas Police Chief Branden Pruette emphasized the dangers of the drug, noting that even a tiny amount can stop a person’s breathing within minutes.
Peterson has been charged with trafficking a Schedule II controlled substance, a felony offense under Georgia law. She remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Sheriff Fred Cole said removing the drugs from the community may have prevented significant loss of life, adding that the seizure could have saved thousands of lives.
