Raleigh Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Nine Years

RALEIGH, N.C. – Enrico Ferrante Cotton, a 55-year-old resident of Raleigh, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for distribution of a quantity of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.  Cotton pleaded guilty on March 26, 2025.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, law enforcement received a tip from a confidential source in February 2024, indicating that Cotton was selling fentanyl and cocaine in the Raleigh area. On March 1, 2024, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of 32.82 grams of fentanyl from Cotton for $1,500. During this transaction, Cotton and the buyer discussed the sale of cocaine.

In the following days, authorities learned that Cotton frequently visited a storage unit. On March 6, 2024, the K-9 unit detected substances at the storage unit, leading law enforcement to execute a search warrant. During this search, law enforcement located and seized heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, 4-anilino-N-phenethylpiperidine (ANPP), and various drug paraphernalia.

On the same day, law enforcement conducted a follow-up search at Cotton’s residence, where they discovered 47.35 grams of fentanyl and ANPP hidden in the toilet. Additionally, they seized $9,231 in cash, four cellular phones, a loaded magazine, a money counter, and 55 rounds of ammunition from various locations within the house.

Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted it.   

Related court documents and information can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina's website or on PACER by searching for case number 5:24-CR-00328-BO.