Wilmington man sentenced to 20 years for trafficking methamphetamine
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for trafficking more than 30 pounds of methamphetamine and other drugs in the Wilmington area, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Christopher Gibson, 41, pleaded guilty on Aug. 13, 2024, to a drug conspiracy involving more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine.
Court records show that Gibson’s criminal activities came to light on Nov. 18, 2021, when authorities in San Diego, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and San Diego County Integrated Narcotics Task Force, intercepted a package containing two kilograms of cocaine that Gibson attempted to mail to Wilmington.
In April 2023, Gibson drove off from a Wilmington traffic stop at high speed, discarding a bag containing cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine during the pursuit. Law enforcement recovered the narcotics after his vehicle was stopped in a cul-de-sac.
Further investigations led to controlled drug deals from Gibson in October 2023, including two sales of 110 grams of methamphetamine and another of 193 grams. During another traffic stop that month, officers discovered fentanyl in Gibson’s vehicle and on him.
Authorities determined that from 2020 to 2021, Gibson had multiple kilograms of cocaine shipped from California and Arizona to Wilmington, where he operated stash houses. In 2023, he imported over 30 pounds of methamphetamine for distribution.
Gibson’s sentencing also took into account his prior federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and his involvement in a firearm-related drug trafficking crime.
The case was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the DEA, Wilmington Police Department, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
