Jamestown man one of two charged in Buffalo drug bust | News, Sports, Jobs

Dhakari Allen

BUFFALO – A Jamestown man was one of two people arrested in Erie County for selling illegal drugs.

Acting Erie County Prosecutor Michael J. Keane announced that Dhakari K. Allen, 27, of Kenmore, and Lisandro Sanchez, 43, of Jamestown were arraigned Tuesday before Buffalo Municipal Court Judge Shannon M. Heneghan on various drug-related charges.

Allen was investigated for drug trafficking. On Monday afternoon, investigators allegedly observed Allen leaving his residence in the Village of Kenmore. Investigators followed the defendant as he walked to a fast food restaurant on Elmwood Avenue near Hertel Avenue in the City of Buffalo. Investigators allegedly observed the defendant conduct a drug transaction with Sanchez.

When investigators approached the defendants, they observed a quantity of narcotics, packaged for sale, in plain view in the front seat of Allen’s vehicle. Both Allen and Sanchez allegedly fought with officers during their arrest.

Sanchez was allegedly found in possession of a quantity of suspected crack cocaine and methamphetamine. He is accused of attempting to conceal the suspected drugs during his arrest.

Lisandro Sanchez

Sanchez was charged with one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, one count of tampering with physical evidence (a class “E” felony), one count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, one count of second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and one count of resisting arrest (class “A” misdemeanors).

Allen was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia, one count of second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and one count of resisting arrest.

Both defendants were released on bail as the charges were non-bailable offences.

If convicted of the most serious charge, Allen faces a maximum sentence of nine years in prison.

If convicted of the most serious charge, Sanchez faces up to 5 1/2 years in prison.

It is also alleged that later Monday, investigators executed a search warrant at Allen’s residence located in the 100th block of Lincoln Boulevard in the Village of Kenmore. Investigators allegedly recovered a quantity of suspected cocaine, a quantity of suspected fentanyl, a cutting agent, packaging materials and a quantity of cash. The suspected narcotics were submitted for further analysis by the Erie County Central Police Department lab.

In connection with this investigation, Allen was also charged with one count of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (Class “AI” felony), one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (Class “B” felony), one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (Class “C” felony), and two counts of second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia (Class “A” misdemeanors).

If convicted of the most serious charge, Allen faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Acting Prosecutor Keane commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Intelligence Unit and the Kenmore Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Samantha N. King of the Bureau of Narcotics and Intelligence.