A former firefighter from Raleigh and his wife have admitted guilt in a significant drug trafficking operation involving cocaine, methamphetamine, and other illegal substances. Nicholas Banister, 36, along with Amanda Banister, 36, confessed to utilizing the dark web and cryptocurrency to distribute drugs 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.”
“It is unfortunate to see someone we trust to help keep us protected involved in criminal activities that jeopardize public safety,” commented ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “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.”
“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,” stated Bryan House, Director of North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement. “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 cocaine and methamphetamine on four occasions to an undercover officer at the 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 alongside firearms. Authorities also discovered a digital wallet used for storing cryptocurrency as well as $213,810 in cash.
Banister was actively selling drugs like cocaine every other week for over a year before being arrested. He purchased narcotics via the dark web using cryptocurrency then distributed them mainly within Glenwood South area through Snapchat advertisements.
At present both Nicholas Banister alongside Amanda face mandatory minimum sentences totaling ten years imprisonment each when formally sentenced later on.
Daniel P. Bubar announced these proceedings following arraignment led by U.S Magistrate Judge Robert T Numbers II where investigations were spearheaded jointly between NC ALE & ATF agencies under prosecution direction from Special Assistant US Attorney Aria Q Merle assigned specifically towards handling violent crime cases federally within Wake County District’s jurisdictional scope.
