Drug bust at Glenwood South bars leads to arrest of employees caught selling cocaine, marijuana
Employees of two restaurants in Raleigh's Glenwood South entertainment district face drug charges after an investigation by the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, North Carolina State University Police, Wake County ABC and Raleigh Police Department.
ALE began the investigation after getting tips that drugs were being sold at Botanical Lounge located at 419 Glenwood Ave. At that location and at Armadillo Grill, at 439 Glenwood, agents found cocaine and marijuana, according to ALE.
"Marijuana and cocaine were purchased from employees of Botanical Lounge as well as the Armadillo Grill," the ALE announced Friday. "Both locations are frequented by area college students."
Five people were charged after a search of those properties. They are:
Michael Eugene Williams, 42, of Raleigh. Williams faces five counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, four counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, four counts of selling marijuana, four counts of delivery of marijuana, three counts of selling cocaine, three counts of delivery of cocaine and five counts of allowing criminal conduct to occur on an ABC-licensed premises.
Brittany Nicole Jones, 31, of Raleigh. Jones faces three counts of conspiracy to sell and deliver cocaine, three counts of conspiracy to sell and deliver marijuana, three counts of delivery of marijuana, three counts of delivery of cocaine and three counts of allowing criminal conduct to occur on ABC-licensed premises.
Matthew Gayles, 37, of Raleigh. Gayles faces charges of possession of less than one half ounce of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and allowing criminal conduct to occur on ABC-licensed premises.
Jahquel Thoman Blyther, 23, of Raleigh. Blyther faces charges of possession less than one half ounce of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and allowing criminal conduct to occur on ABC-licensed premises.
Solomon Phillips, 41, of Raleigh, who faces a charge of allowing criminal conduct to occur on ABC-licensed premises.
Marijuana legal in many states but not NC
While marijuana use, including for recreational uses, is legal in about half of the United States, it still remains illegal for all purposes in North Carolina. The drugs remains illegal at the federal level as well.
Last fall, President Biden asked for a review of that law and promised pardons to anyone convicted of the federal crime of simple marijuana possession.
"Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit," Biden at the time. "Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs."
According to the White House 6,500 Americans have marijuana possession convictions on their records, but not one is currently in jail on that charge alone.
Ben Pace, president of Armadillo Grill, sent this statement to WRAL News:
“We are surprised and shocked that something like this was taking place. We have immediately taken all necessary precautions, and the employee charged no longer works for us. Armadillo Grill has been on Glenwood for 21 years, and we have built a great reputation as a family restaurant. We hope to continue serving the Raleigh community for years to come.”
