Paulding County Sheriff Raids Alleged Trap House, Arrests 12 People Inside, Including The Homeowner: Police Say Four Overdoses Occurred Within 6 Months; Sheriff To Move Forward With Seizing The Home

A total of twelve people were arrested following an undercover drug investigation at a Paulding County home on Pine Valley Road near Powder Springs last week.

According to authorities, first responders had been dispatched to the home four times in a six-month span to treat individuals suffering from acute drug overdoses.

The frequent emergency responses, combined with a steady stream of tips from neighbors reporting heavy, short-stay traffic at all hours of the day and night, prompted narcotics detectives to launch an undercover investigation.

During the operation, undercover agents reportedly monitored the property and successfully purchased illegal narcotics directly from the residence, securing the evidence necessary for a search warrant.

Narcotics Seized and Property Targeted for Asset Forfeiture

Upon breaching the residence, tactical officers detained everyone inside. A comprehensive search of the property uncovered quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and THC.

The home belongs to Ricky Draper, who was among the 12 arrested. Following the operation, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office officially secured the house, and placed a sign in the front yard declaring it a public nuisance.

Paulding County Sheriff Ashley Hinson announced his agency has legal proceedings to permanently seize the property through civil asset forfeiture.

A Dozen Suspects Jailed

Everyone present inside the house during the raid was reportedly taken into custody and booked into the Paulding County Jail.

The suspects face a variety of charges, including felony drug possession, possession with intent to distribute, and obstruction of law enforcement. Investigators noted that two of the individuals arrested also had outstanding, unrelated warrants for their arrest.

Sheriff’s officials credited the vigilance of local residents for helping dismantle the suspected drug house, emphasizing that community tips are vital to combating the influx of lethal synthetic drugs like fentanyl in residential neighborhoods.

Georgia’s Forefeiture Law

Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-49), the state has the broad authority to seize and permanently confiscate real estate if it is used to facilitate drug crimes—such as storing or selling fentanyl and methamphetamine—or if it was purchased with illegal drug proceeds.

Unlike criminal trials, civil forfeiture cases are filed directly against the property itself. This distinction creates a uniquely high hurdle for property owners:

No Conviction Required: The government can permanently take a home even if the owner is never convicted of a crime or if criminal charges are dropped.

Lower Burden of Proof: Prosecutors do not need to prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Instead, they only need to show a “preponderance of the evidence”—meaning it is simply more likely than not that the home was tied to drug activity.

The 30-Day Clock: Once the state files a forfeiture notice, owners have a strict 30-day deadline to file a detailed, sworn legal challenge. Missing this window results in an automatic forfeiture of the property to the state.

The law does offer protection for landlords or family members through an “innocent owner” defense, but the burden is on the citizen to prove they had absolutely no knowledge of, or control over, the illegal operations happening inside their property.

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