Fentanyl trafficker sentenced to six years after failed attempt to flush drugs

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — A North Carolina man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for fentanyl trafficking after prosecutors say he tried unsuccessfully to flush his stash down a toilet during a search of his home.

Monted Quintrell Council, also known as “Rude,” 39, was sentenced for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams of fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Council pleaded guilty in federal court June 11.

According to prosecutors, the ATF and Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Council’s fentanyl trafficking operation in November 2024.

Investigators conducted a controlled purchase of fentanyl pills from Council before executing a search warrant at his home on Dec. 12, 2024.

Prosecutors say Council attempted to flush fentanyl pills down a toilet as officers entered the home.

The attempt was unsuccessful. Law enforcement later recovered 55 grams of fentanyl from the home’s septic tank, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Council had previous North Carolina convictions, including a 2010 conviction for possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, a 2010 conviction for possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver and a 2017 conviction for maintaining a place for selling illegal drugs.

“Thank you to our community, narcotics team and our local, state, federal partners,” Edgecombe County Sheriff Cleveland Atkinson said. “We will remain committed to hold drug dealers accountable for the drugs they distribute in our community.”

The ATF and Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.