Raleigh man gets 16 years for trafficking cocaine and gun crimes: 'Never learned his lesson'

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Raleigh man was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for leading what the US Department of Justice said was a major cocaine trafficking operation in the Triangle.

On Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced Wilbert Lee Howard, III. Howard pleaded guilty to the crimes on June 12.

"This defendant had multiple prior state convictions for cocaine trafficking and possessing firearms, but he never learned his lesson. He continued to pump poison into our neighborhoods instead of being a contributing member of society," said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. "Our neighborhoods, families, and communities are safer with this man behind bars. If you think you can make money and get away with selling drugs in Eastern North Carolina, you are wrong. Our federal and state law enforcement will find you, take your drugs, guns, cars, and money, and you will go to prison. Justice in this case is strong, it's fair, and it sends a message loud and clear."

According to court documents and other evidence, Howard distributed approximately 14 kilograms of cocaine in Raleigh and its surrounding communities from September 2023 to July 2024.

Howard was obtaining kilograms of cocaine and distributing them to other drug dealers for sale in the Triangle, the investigation revealed. Law enforcement officers pulled over several people who worked with Howard and recovered cocaine, marijuana, and cash.

On July 17, 2024, officers executed search warrants at properties that they suspected Howard used for drug trafficking and recovered cocaine, cash, and multiple firearms, including a shotgun and a 9mm handgun.

The Raleigh Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.

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