35 people are facing more than 130 felony charges in what the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) called a joint operation with Raleigh police in Moore Square.
According to ALE, Raleigh police requested their help in June to "combat a rise in criminal activity and a decline in the quality of life" in and around Moore Square. ALE said the request also followed complaints that their agents received about illegal alcohol and drug activity from several ABC-licensed stations around Moore Square.
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The announcement comes as city leaders said they wanted to make the bus station near Moore Square safer. Among those changes was closing the breezeway on S. Wilmington Street that led to the bus station.
ALE said during the operation, several undercover agents were able to buy illegal drugs and alcohol on several occasions, including repeatedly from the same individuals and juveniles. ALE also said a juvenile suspect sold crack cocaine to an undercover agent in a public park restroom while EMS was responding to an overdose call just feet away, all while children and their parents unknowingly played.
In another instance, ALE agents and police officers encountered a middle schooler while serving a 17-year-old suspect. The middle school-aged child approximately 13-years-old had a secure custody order for attempted murder. The 13-year-old was also found in possession of crack cocaine and stolen property.
The individuals that were identified are involved in trafficking and selling these controlled substances with the largest amounts being crack cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol.
During their investigation, ALE said they identified a network responsible for manufacturing and supplying crack cocaine in the Moore Square area. Agents obtained a search warrant for a home on Duggins Oak Drive in Zebulon they belived was tied to the manufacturing operation. When agents searched the property, they recovered a firearm, crack cocaine, and active manufacturing equipment.
ALE also partnered with the Wake County District Attorney's Office in securing indictments for eight individuals involved. Last week, hours before an indictment was served on one individuals, they committed a stabbing outside Moore Square.
“Downtown Raleigh is a place everyone should be able to safely enjoy,” said Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman. “I commend the Raleigh Police Department and the NC ALE on this operation and commit our office to continued partnership.”
Police said several of the 35 people who were charged are in custody, and that more arrests are expected in the coming days.