WILMINGTON — A local 41-year-old will serve two decades in prison for drug trafficking and conspiracy.
Christopher Gibson attempted to traffic methamphetamine in the Wilmington area and ship many kilograms of cocaine from both California and Arizona to Wilmington, where an investigation revealed he oversaw several stash houses.
U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle executed his 20-year sentence. Gibson had previous drug charges — a 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 — and using, carrying, and possessing a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking.
Gibson pled guilty in August to drug conspiracy, involving more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine.
Court documents indicate Gibson was at the center of a DEA search back in November 2021 at the San Diego Airport, when law enforcement had information he was attempting to transport fentanyl from California to North Carolina. At the airline gate in California, Gibson had $10,635 on him and a United States Postal Service (USPS) receipt.
By tracking postal receipts, a package Gibson attempted to mail to Wilmington revealed 2 kilograms of cocaine.
Two years later in April 2023, a Wilmington Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop and Gibson was driving the vehicle. He fled the scene going more than 80-miles-an-hour car and through a stop sign.
During this time, documents indicate Gibson attempted to discard a bag containing approximately 18 grams of cocaine, 195 bindles of fentanyl, and 3 grams of methamphetamine. He eventually stopped in a cul-de-sac and narcotics were found in his vehicle, along with cash and multiple cellphones.
Six months later in October, three controlled purchases of methamphetamine were conducted between law enforcement and Gibson. Two were for 110 grams and another for 193 grams.
Six days later, Wilmington Police Department conducted another traffic stop on the vehicle Gibson was driving. A K-9 alerted officers to the the presence of narcotics and a search uncovered approximately a gram of fentanyl, while a search on Gibson turned out eight baggies containing approximately 10 grams of fentanyl. multiple cellphones and cash.
Law enforcement estimate in 2023, Gibson was behind 30 pounds of methamphetamine making its way to various locations in Wilmington for distribution.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation to disrupt and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launders, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States.
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Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.
