Five Time Convicted Felon Arrested on Drug Dealing Charges

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports a narcotics investigation has been completed with the arrest of a Buffalo man on December 16, 2016.

On that date members of the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit and SWAT team executed a search warrant signed by Judge Kenneth Case on a Benzinger Street residence.  The SWAT team breached a lower entry door and took Tracy Bankston, 50, into custody.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit conducted a search of the dwelling and discovered a quantity of heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, Suboxone, approximately $12,000.00 in U.S. currency, various drug packaging materials and paraphernalia.  Also seized were a loaded Tech 9 pistol and a .357 revolver.

Bankston, a convicted felon with a pending drug case in New York State Supreme Court, was arrested and charged with two felony counts of criminal possession of a loaded firearm, a felony count of criminal possession of a narcotic with intent to sell, and a felony count of destroying evidence.  In addition to the felony charges, Bankston was charged with the following misdemeanors; three counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia, criminal possession of 2 ounces or more of marijuana, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Bankston is being held at the Erie County Holding Center without bail.