North Carolina authorities arrested five people in Durham and shut down what they say was an illegal alcohol business tied to recent violence in the Triangle.
Details of the Raid
Special agents with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division and Durham police served a search warrant at the property at 603 Ellis Road over the weekend, saying it was part of a larger operation cracking down on criminal activity associated with licensed and illegal alcohol outlets.
Agents said they found guns, drugs and liquor during the search. Authorities said the property had been a recurring source of violent crime and had ties to homicides, shootings, and other crimes.
Most recently on July 5, Durham police responded to a shooting that wounded two men and a woman near that address. WRAL also reported on a shooting that wounded at least one person on March 7, 2026, in that same area near East Pettigrew Street.
Arrests and Charges
Agents said the owner of the business, 30-year-old Travis Miller, was arrested and charged with two counts of Misdemeanor Possess or Sell Alcoholic Beverages Without Permit and Misdemeanor Possess or Sell Non-Taxpaid Alcoholic Beverage.
Another employee, Kiara Johnson, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor possession or sale of alcoholic beverages without a permit. Agents arrested three others for various criminal charges: Tony Darnell Crews, 38, of Durham, was charged with Felony Possession of a Stolen Firearm; Amir Mouffasah Abdullah, 31, of Durham, was charged with Felony Maintain a Vehicle for a Controlled Substance, Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell or Deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance, and Felony Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver Marijuana; and Bryant Lynn Gooch, 41, of Durham, was charged with Possession of a Firearm by Felon.
Agents said the overall operation targeting ABC-licensed and illegal alcohol outlets has seen more than 30 people arrested across Durham for drug and gun crimes. Agents said they’ve seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, crack-cocaine, cocaine, various opioids and 11 guns so far.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
