A former firefighter from Raleigh and his wife have admitted guilt in a drug trafficking case involving the use of the dark web and cryptocurrency. Nicholas Banister, 36, and Amanda Banister, 36, confessed to distributing cocaine, methamphetamine, and other narcotics across 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.” She emphasized ATF’s commitment to breaking up drug trafficking networks.
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.”
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 at their residence uncovered significant quantities of various drugs, firearms, a digital wallet for cryptocurrency storage, and $213,810 in cash. Banister reportedly sold drugs regularly over the past year using Snapchat for advertising.
Banister was employed by the City of Raleigh Fire Department during these offenses. Both he and his wife face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Daniel P. Bubar announced this development following arraignment by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers II. The NC ALE and ATF investigated the case while Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aria Q. Merle prosecuted it.
