Former Raleigh firefighter, wife plead guilty in drug trafficking case tied to Glenwood South area

Thursday, July 10, 2025 9:28PM A Raleigh firefighter and his wife face at least 10 years in prison. RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A former Raleigh firefighter and his wife pleaded guilty on Thursday to running a large-scale drug trafficking operation. Nicholas Banister, 36, and his wife, Amanda, 26, admitted to using the dark web and cryptocurrency to distribute drugs, primarily in the Glenwood South area. Authorities said Banister bought drugs for resale on the dark web and paid for them with crypto. “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.” According to court documents, Banister and his wife conspired to sell cocaine and methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer at the Morgan Street Food Hall in Raleigh four separate times. Nicholas Banister (left) Amanda Banister
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