Passenger Arrested, K9 Kell Clears Driver After NYS Thruway Stop: NYSP

NEW PALTZ, NY — A Thruway traffic stop resulted in a substantial drug seizure, according to New York State Police.

Troopers say that on Thursday, at 5:48 p.m., troopers from the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit stopped a 2022 Chevrolet traveling north on the New York State Thruway, in the town of New Paltz, for traffic violations.

SEE ALSO: K9 Kell Catches Wind Of Narcotics During Thruway Traffic Stop: NYSP

The driver, a 25-year-old woman from Sandy Springs, Georgia, and her passenger, 37-year-old Michael T. Cole, of Brooklyn, were interviewed during the stop.

A search of Cole found over 200 grams of cocaine, but a search by NYSP K9 Kell found no additional contraband in the vehicle, according to state police.

The driver was issued traffic tickets and released.

Cole was arrested and taken to the NYSP barracks in Highland, where he was processed and charged with felony second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and felony third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

He was arraigned at the Ulster County Court Centralized Arraignment Part and remanded to the Ulster County Jail without bail.

State police say the investigation remains ongoing.