3 Men Accused Of Having Drugs, Loaded Handgun On Thruway

PLATTEKILL, NY — Three men were accused of having drugs and a loaded handgun while traveling on the Thruway in Ulster County.

On Tuesday, the New York State Police said, around 6 pm. April 12, troopers from the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit were patrolling Interstate 87 in the town of Plattekill when they saw a 2010 BMW-528i traveling north in violation of state traffic laws.

The car was stopped, and Ronny Mata, 38, of Hollywood, Florida, was identified as the driver.

While speaking with troopers, Mata told them he was in possession of Ecstasy (MDMA), police said.

Troopers removed the two passengers from the car: Naquon Tucker, 43, of Troy, and Raul Pena-Barreto, 37, of Bronx.

A search of the car, with the assistance of K-9 Kell, found more than 2 kilograms of cocaine, 4 grams of MDMA, a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun and more than $4,800.

The men were all charged with the following felonies:

• First-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
• Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, intent to sell
• Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon

Mata was additionally charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony.

Tucker was also charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

All three were arraigned in the Plattekill Town Court and sent to the Ulster County Jail without bail.