Drugs seized at two Glenwood South restaurants, employees arrested

State ALE agents bought marijuana and cocaine at two Glenwood South restaurants, and have charged five employees at the Botanical Lounge, officials said.

Agents got complaints about drug sales from employees at the Glenwood Avenue tapas bar starting in June, and they got search warrants both for Botanical and nearby Armadillo Grill.

Marijuana and cocaine were purchased from employees of Botanical Lounge as well as the Armadillo Grill, the ALE said in a Friday press release.

The popular downtown Raleigh strip is frequented by college students, agents noted. Cocaine and marijuana were seized during the search as well as non-tax-paid alcoholic beverages.

Who was charged

The following people were charged:

▪ Michael Eugene Williams, 42, of Raleigh, employee of Botanical Lounge; 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 sell marijuana, four counts of deliver marijuana, three counts of sell cocaine, three counts of deliver cocaine, five counts of allowing criminal conduct to occur on an ABC licensed premises.

▪ Brittany Nicole Jones, 31, of Raleigh, employee of Armadillo Grill; three counts of conspire to sell and deliver cocaine, three counts of conspire to sell and deliver marijuana, three counts of deliver marijuana, three counts of deliver cocaine, and three counts of allowing criminal conduct to occur on an ABC licensed premises.

▪ Matthew Gayles, 37, of Raleigh, employee of Botanical Lounge; possession of less than one half ounce of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and allowing criminal conduct to occur on an ABC licensed premises.

▪ Jahquel Thoman Blyther, 23, of Raleigh, employee of Botanical Lounge; possession less than one half ounce of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and allowing criminal conduct to occur on an ABC licensed premises.

▪ Solomon Phillips, 41, of Raleigh, employee of Botanical Lounge; allowing criminal conduct to occur on an ABC licensed premises.

The ABC Commission may choose to sanction the Botanical Lounge and the Armadillo Grill through a fine, suspension, or revocation of the business’ ABC permits, agents said.