NC agents arrest drug suspects, seize weapons during investigation at downtown Raleigh bars

NC Alcohol Law Enforcement agents charged suspects with drug and other offenses and seized nine firearms as part of an investigation into criminal activity at bars in downtown Raleigh, the agency said Wednesday.

In January, ALE received complaints about drug sales at the Big Easy on Fayetteville Street, Cardinal Bar on North West Street and Davie Bar on South Blount Street Suite 101, according to a news release from the NC Department of Public Safety.

Special agents purchased cocaine and marijuana from employees and patrons of the Big Easy, a patron of the Davie Bar and two patrons of the Cardinal Bar – all part of a larger enforcement initiative that the ALE says it is conducting in the downtown area.

Two employees and several guests were charged with drug offenses. ALE also searched Matthew Moretz’s home on Grinding Stone Drive in Raleigh and seized nine firearms, over 14 grams of cocaine, 16 grams of alprazolam and Adderall pills, the release said.

The suspects and their charges

The press release states that charges have been filed against the following people:

Matthew Brown, 46, of Raleigh (Big Easy employee):

• Conspiracy to sell cocaine

• two cases of tolerating criminal acts on licensed premises

• Possession of cocaine

• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Kayla Boyd, 24, of Raleigh (Big Easy employee):

Antonyo Armstead, 29, of Raleigh (patron of Big Easy):

• Possession of cocaine with intent to sell and supply

• Selling cocaine

• Supply cocaine

• Possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana

• Sell ​​marijuana

• Deliver marijuana

• conspire to sell cocaine

• Possession of drug paraphernalia

• Possession of marijuana paraphernalia

Matthew Moretz, 41, of Raleigh (Davie Bar regular):

• two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to sell and supply

• Possession with intent to sell and supply amphetamine dextroamphetamine

• Selling cocaine

• Possession of cocaine with the intent to sell and supply within 300 metres of a school

• Maintain the home to store and maintain controlled substances

• Possession of marijuana

• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Jeremy Booth, 46, of Raleigh (Cardinal patron):

Alvin Ampaire, 31, of Cary (Cardinal patron):

What will happen next?

ALE special agents will submit a report to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

The commission could penalize Big Easy for employees who possess and sell controlled substances and Cardinal for employees who consume alcoholic beverages while on the job.

Sanctions could include fines, suspension or withdrawal of the company’s ABC permits.

What is alcohol law enforcement?

ALE’s 111 specially trained agents have arrest and investigative authority throughout North Carolina. Their primary mission is to enforce laws governing alcoholic beverages, tobacco, state lottery and gambling.