A North Carolina man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for trafficking over 30 pounds of methamphetamine in the Wilmington area.
Christopher Gibson, 41, of Wilmington, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for his role in a drug conspiracy involving over 500 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine.
Gibson pled guilty on August 13, 2024, to the charges.
According to court documents, on November 18, 2021, the San Diego Airport Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) San Diego Field Division, and the San Diego County Integrated Narcotics Task Force received information that an individual was attempting to transport fentanyl from California to North Carolina.
Gibson was in possession of $10,635 and a United States Postal Service (USPS) receipt when he was stopped at the airline gate in California.
A search of a package that Gibson had attempted to send to an address in Wilmington revealed two kilograms of cocaine.
On April 27, 2023, a Wilmington Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Gibson, who fled at a high speed and eventually stopped the vehicle in a cul-de-sac.
A K-9 officer responded to the scene and alerted law enforcement to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A search revealed cash and multiple cell phones.
Gibson also discarded a bag containing approximately 18 grams of cocaine, 195 bindles of fentanyl, and three grams of methamphetamine while fleeing.
On October 10 and 20, 2023, law enforcement conducted two controlled purchases of 110 grams of methamphetamine each, from Gibson.
On October 24, 2023, another controlled purchase of 193 grams from Gibson occurred.
On October 30, 2023, a Wilmington Police Department officer conducted another traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Gibson, who was found to be in possession of multiple cell phones and cash.
Gibson has a previous federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than 50 grams of cocaine, as well as dihydrocodeinone.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.
Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle.
The Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wilmington Police Department, and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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