(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, NY – A Buffalo man has pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge after being found in possession of five kilograms of cocaine with intent to sell.
Ibben S. Akbar, 33, admitted to one count of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class C felony) before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller, Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced.
The case began on September 30, 2024, when a property management crew discovered a large quantity of suspected cocaine inside an unoccupied apartment on Washington Street in Buffalo. The workers, preparing to paint the unit, found a plastic bag containing approximately five kilograms of narcotics and a digital scale inside a clothes dryer. The apartment had been vacant since November 2023.
Buffalo Police officers responded at approximately 11:47 a.m. and secured the scene. About 24 minutes later, Akbar arrived, unlocked the door, and entered the apartment, where officers detained him. He was found in possession of a key to the unit and was placed under arrest.
Subsequent testing confirmed the substance was cocaine, and forensic analysis linked Akbar’s DNA to the plastic bag containing the drugs.
Akbar faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison as a second violent felony offender. His sentencing is scheduled for May 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. He remains free on $200,000 bail.
DA Keane commended Detective Bart Adams and Officer Kevin Kohl of the Buffalo Police Department for their investigative efforts. Chief Justin T. Wallens of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau prosecuted the case.
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