A former City of Raleigh firefighter and his wife have pleaded guilty to operating a drug trafficking operation. Nicholas Banister, 36, and Amanda Banister, 36, used the dark web to distribute narcotics, including cocaine and methamphetamine, throughout Eastern North Carolina, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Court documents revealed the extent of the couple’s drug trafficking operation, which involved using cryptocurrencies for transactions. Authorities noted the contrast between the firefighter’s previous role in public safety and his involvement in illegal drug distribution in the community.
“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 in the press release. The investigation and resulting guilty pleas represent a success for local ATF and NC ALE teams.
Undercover operations by NC ALE resulted in a significant seizure at Banister's residence, including over a kilogram each of methamphetamine and cocaine, along with other illicit drugs, firearms, digital devices, and a large amount of cash. Court documents indicate that the Bannisters frequently used the social media platform Snapchat to attract buyers, advertising a variety of narcotics. They conducted their drug sales while presenting themselves as ordinary citizens.
