UTICA, NY – A driver of a vehicle stopped during a routine traffic stop is now facing felony drug charges after police found a large amount of cocaine under the passenger seat of the vehicle.
“On April 21st, 2022 at approximately 11:50PM officers with the Crime Prevention Unit were conducting proactive patrols when they stopped a vehicle near the intersection of Layette St and State St for NYSV&TL violations,” the Utica Police Department said.
According to police reports, through the investigation, it was learned that the operator was driving with a suspended NYS license, and additionally, there was no licensed individual to take possession of the vehicle.During the course of an inventory of the vehicle felony-level cocaine and a quantity of heroin was located under the front passenger seat where a male had been seated prior to his exit from the vehicle.
Upon locating the contraband both the driver and passenger, Ramon Rivera age 63 of Utica, were detained and transported to the Utica Police Department.