DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) - On Wednesday, April 15, agents with the Douglas Coffee Drug Unit, along with the D.I.C.E. Unit, executed a search warrant at a residence on Winterset Circle, according to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

This comes after a months-long investigation into fentanyl trafficking within the community.

Officials said 48-year-old Amy Peterson was taken into custody without incident. During the search, agents located and seized approximately 35 grams of fentanyl.

This case is especially severe, CCSO said, because fentanyl is so potent that as little as two milligrams can be a potentially lethal dose.

“The 35 grams recovered in this case equates to roughly 35,000 milligrams—representing more than 17,000 potentially fatal doses. This quantity far exceeds personal use and reflects a level of distribution capable of causing widespread harm within the community."

Chief Branden Pruette from the Douglas Police Department (DPD) explained how a tiny amount of fentanyl can stop a person’s breathing in minutes.

“Fentanyl is not just another drug, it’s a deadly poison measured in micrograms, not grams. Just a tiny amount can stop a person’s breathing in minutes. The recent seizure didn’t just take drugs off the street, it very likely saved lives in our community. This is why we remain vigilant, because one microgram can be the difference between life and death.”

Peterson was charged with trafficking a Schedule II controlled substance, a felony offense under O.C.G.A. 16-13-31, according to CCSO.

“This amount of fentanyl had the potential to take thousands of lives. Getting it off the streets means we may have saved families from unimaginable loss.”

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.