K9 Kell Sniffs Out Drugs In BMW On I-87, Upstate Man Arrested: NYSP

SAUGERTIES, NY — The New York State Police's "top dog" in law enforcement has once again helped take a significant amount of illegal drugs off the streets, according to troopers.

New York State Police say that on Monday, around 4:40 p.m., members of the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit saw a 2025 BMW traveling north on I-87, in the town of Saugerties, breaking several traffic laws.

After troopers stopped the car and spoke with the driver, they identified him as 35-year-old Jason Thomas, of Schenectady.

During the investigation, K-9 Kell conducted both an exterior and interior sniff of the vehicle and gave a positive alert to troopers for narcotics, according to NYSP.

A search of the vehicle found around 765 grams of cocaine and a large amount of cash, troopers said.

Thomas was arrested and taken to State Police Kingston for processing where he was charged with felony first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, felony third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (intent to sell), and several vehicle/traffic violations.

Thomas was arraigned at the Ulster County Central Arraignment Part and remanded to the Ulster County Jail. He is scheduled to return to court on August 25.