Employees and customers of Raleigh businesses face drug charges after months-long ALE investigation

RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) – Two employees at The Big Easy in downtown Raleigh and several customers from nearby bars are facing a series of drug-related charges following a months-long investigation by North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE).

The investigation also included a raid on a house where drugs and weapons were discovered.

ALE received complaints about the alleged sale of controlled substances that occurred in Big Easy, Cardinal Bar and Davie Bar in January.

During this investigation, they discovered that marijuana and cocaine were purchased by employees and customers of the Big Easy, a patron of the Davie Bar, and two patrons of the Cardinal Bar.

“ALE Special Agents work to combat criminal activity in and around ABC-licensed businesses across the state. This investigation is part of a larger initiative to combat drug and alcohol abuse in downtown Raleigh,” said Bryan House, North Carolina ALE Director. “Alcohol and illegal controlled substances are contributing factors to various crimes, including violent crimes and other destructive offenses. ALE Special Agents make it a priority in their investigations to ensure that businesses are safe and that alcoholic beverages are sold responsibly. We make it a priority to work with and train business owners and their employees to provide greater support in these efforts.”

Matthew Brown, 46, and Kayla Boyd, 24, are both employees of The Big Easy.

Brown was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession and permitting the distribution of cocaine on licensed premises.

Boyd was charged with conspiracy to sell and permitting sale on licensed premises.

Antonyo Armstead, 29, a regular at The Big Easy, faces a number of criminal charges including possession, sale and delivery of cocaine and marijuana.

Jeremy Booth and Alvin Ampaire, registered patrons of the Cardinal Bar, are facing charges of attempted sale and delivery of marijuana.

41-year-old Matthew Moretz also faces numerous drug-related charges.

ALE also executed a search warrant on his home on Grinding Stone Drive in Raleigh and seized more than half an ounce of cocaine, 16 grams of alprazolam, a number of Adderall pills and nine firearms.

They also discovered that Cardinal employees were drinking alcohol during work hours.

Cardinal owner Jason Howard confirmed that those arrested were guests and not employees.

“We are not involved in this and we do not reserve spaces for drug dealers to deal drugs,” Howard said.

ALE will submit a report to the ABC Commission, which can impose sanctions on the companies, such as a fine, suspension or withdrawal of their permits.

There are still arrest warrants out for Ampaire and Armstead.

For everyone else, the next court date is June 11 or 12.

ABC11 has contacted the companies involved in the investigation. Davie Bar declined to comment. The Big Easy has not yet responded to a request for comment.