Court sentences traffickers to decades-long prison terms

GREENSBORO – A deadly 18-month-long narcotics conspiracy is sending two drug traffickers to federal prison for long terms.

Cye Leance Frasier, 44, was sentenced Wednesday, Feb. 28, to 29 years, and Carlisa Renea Allen, 46, was sentenced Feb. 13 to 28 years, a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina says.

Frasier pleaded guilty in October 2023, to conspiracy to distribute 500-plus grams of cocaine hydrochloride, and conspiracy to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, resulting in death, the release says. Allen was convicted in November 2023 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl resulting in death; distribution of cocaine hydrochloride; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Trial evidence showed that Allen and Frasier marketed themselves to college students as a source of cocaine and other narcotics. On occasion, the pair knowingly sold fentanyl.

The evidence also showed that the death of Joshua Skip Zinner in March 2023 resulted from the use of cocaine laced with fentanyl that he had purchased from the Allen and Frasier drug conspiracy.

At sentencing, the court heard from Zinner‘s family members, as well as family members of Elizabeth Grace Burton, who also died after ingesting cocaine laced with fentanyl purchased directly from Frasier.

In addition to the prison sentences, federal District Judge William L. Osteen sentenced both defendants to five years of court-supervised post-release supervision and ordered Zinner’s family be paid $8,000 in restitution and Burton‘s family $11,304, the release says.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Durham, Raleigh, Duke University and Cary police departments; Raleigh/Wake County City-County Bureau of Identification; Orange County, Nash County and Harnett County sheriff’s departments, and the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Prosecuting the case were Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. DeFranco and Tracy M. Williams-Durham.