A former Raleigh firefighter and his wife pleaded guilty to orchestrating a drug-trafficking operation that distributed cocaine, methamphetamine, and other narcotics throughout Raleigh and eastern North Carolina.
Nicholas Banister, 36, and Amanda Banister, 36, admitted to using the dark web and cryptocurrency to organize a network.
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“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.”
“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,” said 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.”
Banister conspired with his wife to sell cocaine and methamphetamine on four occasions to an undercover law enforcement officer at the Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh.
At Banister's home, investigators found:
· 1,324.43 grams of methamphetamine (nearly 3 pounds)
· 844 grams of cocaine (About 1.8 pounds)
· Over 7 kilograms of marijuana (About 15.4 pounds)
· 382 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, Xanax and Ecstasy pills (0.84 pounds)
· 216 units of LSD
· 15 grams of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) (0.03 pounds)
· Two firearms
· $213,810 in U.S. currency
A WRAL News report from May 2024 showed investigators found nearly $145,000 inside the air vents at the couple's home. Investigators also found marijuana edibles and nearly 1,000 tabs of LSD.
A release from the U.S. Department of Justice said Banister purchased the narcotics from the dark web using cryptocurrency, had them shipped to North Carolina, and then sold them with frequent transactions in the Glenwood South area of Raleigh. Banister utilized the Snapchat application to advertise narcotics by providing a “menu” for buyers.
Banister was with the Raleigh Fire Department at the time of the charged offenses. Both Banister and his wife face a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment when sentenced.