The city of Sandy Springs will be reimbursed for the $76,060 it spent demolishing a marijuana grow house on Kitty Hawk Drive—and will also receive a portion of the proceeds from the property’s sale. The Sandy Springs City Council approved the sale of the home at 4804 Kitty Hawk Drive for $650,000 during its October 7 meeting, marking the conclusion of a long and complex case involving illegal drug operations.
City Manager Eden Freeman explained that the property first came to the city’s attention in June 2023 after it was identified as a major grow house by Sandy Springs Police detectives. A joint raid conducted by the Sandy Springs Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) uncovered 540 marijuana plants, 135 pounds of cultivated marijuana, Psilocybin mushrooms, an AR-15 rifle, and $37,000 in cash. Authorities declared the house unsafe due to extensive modifications made to support the illegal operation.
Freeman noted that the Sandy Springs Police Department’s efforts not only eliminated a large-scale drug operation but also protected nearby residents from potential hazards such as mold, wiring issues, and chemical exposure often found in grow houses. The property’s condition led officials to demolish the structure to prevent further safety risks.
Freeman said that after paying off the mortgage and real estate commission, the remaining funds from the sale will be split between Sandy Springs and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, which handled the property’s forfeiture.
The city will also recover the demolition costs that were initially paid out of municipal funds. Freeman added that the original listing price for the property had to be reduced due to several encumbrances, including a Colonial Pipeline easement that makes part of the land unbuildable.
The grow house was located in District 6, represented by Councilmember Andy Bauman. Bauman said he and local residents are thankful for the swift action taken by Sandy Springs authorities to eliminate the illegal operation and restore safety to the neighborhood.
“This case shows that Sandy Springs will not tolerate criminal activity that endangers our community,” Bauman said. “We’re proud of our police department’s work and grateful to see this property turned back into something positive for Sandy Springs residents.”