A former firefighter from Raleigh and his wife have admitted guilt in a significant drug trafficking operation. Nicholas Banister, 36, and Amanda Banister, 36, confessed to distributing cocaine, methamphetamine, and other narcotics using the dark web and cryptocurrency throughout Eastern North Carolina.
"The defendant, a Raleigh firefighter, served in a position of public trust, but was hiding in plain sight as he and his wife sold numerous types of illegal narcotics around businesses the community frequently visits," said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. "I’m proud of our federal and state partners at the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (NC ALE) for their hard work, which is holding these individuals accountable and making our community safer."
ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones commented on the situation: "It is unfortunate to see someone we trust to help keep us protected involved in criminal activities that jeopardize public safety. ATF realizes the danger and violence associated with drug trafficking, and we’re proud to work with our local and state law enforcement partners to break up those networks and better protect our communities."
Bryan House, Director of North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, stated: "A primary focus for ALE is reducing crime associated with alcohol establishments and protecting the safety of our communities. In this case, undercover ALE special agents conducted a comprehensive investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of two individuals — one of whom had taken an oath to protect others but instead chose to put lives at risk. We’re hopeful this case, along with our continued efforts, will have a positive impact on our state."
Court documents revealed that Banister conspired with his wife to sell drugs on four occasions to an undercover officer at Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh. A search warrant executed by NC ALE at Banister's residence uncovered substantial quantities of drugs including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, Xanax pills, Ecstasy pills, LSD units, DMT grams; firearms; a digital wallet for cryptocurrency; and $213,810 in cash.
Banister had been selling various drugs every other week for over a year before his arrest. He used cryptocurrency to purchase narcotics from the dark web which were shipped to North Carolina for sale primarily in Glenwood South area through Snapchat advertisements.
At the time of these offenses Banister was employed by City of Raleigh Fire Department.
Both Nicholas Banister and Amanda Banister face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years imprisonment upon sentencing.
Daniel P. Bubar announced this development following arraignment by U.S Magistrate Judge Robert T Numbers II while NC ALE & ATF investigated alongside Special Assistant U S Attorney Aria Q Merle who prosecuted under Wake County District Attorney’s Office assignment handling federal violent crimes among others.
