PLATTEKILL, NY — More than 350 grams of cocaine were recovered during a traffic stop on Interstate 87 in Plattekill early Wednesday, leading to the arrest of a Catskill man after a brief roadside struggle with New York State Police. The find is credited to the agency’s furry friend and fellow officer, K-9 Kell.
The seizure followed a 12:11 a.m. stop on April 15, 2026, when members of the State Police Troop F Community Stabilization Unit pulled over a 2023 Honda traveling northbound for multiple traffic violations. The driver, identified as 47-year-old Sherod Wiggins, was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
K-9 alert leads to drug discovery
A K-9 unit was deployed during the stop, and the dog indicated the presence of narcotics, prompting troopers to search the vehicle. According to State Police, the search uncovered approximately 352 grams of cocaine packaged in a clear plastic bag.
As troopers moved to take Wiggins into custody, the encounter escalated. Police said he became non-compliant and attempted to re-enter his vehicle before turning combative.
Despite the resistance, troopers were able to restrain and arrest him after what officials described as a brief struggle. No contraband was found on Wiggins himself during a search of his person.
“During the investigation, K-9 Kell was deployed and alerted positively to the odor of narcotics,” State Police said in a statement describing the sequence that led to the discovery.
Charges reflect weight and intent
Wiggins now faces multiple felony charges tied to both the quantity of drugs and alleged intent to distribute. He was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance — a class A-I felony that applies to narcotic quantities exceeding eight ounces — as well as third-degree possession with intent to sell, a class B felony.
Additional charges include obstructing governmental administration in the second degree and resisting arrest, both class A misdemeanors. Troopers also issued multiple traffic citations related to the initial stop.
Wiggins was transported to State Police Highland for processing, where officials said he was handled without further incident.
Key Points
• Troopers seized approximately 352 grams of cocaine during an early morning I-87 stop in Plattekill
• The driver, Sherod Wiggins, allegedly resisted arrest after a K-9 alerted to narcotics
• He faces a class A-I felony and remains held at Ulster County Jail pending arraignment
Custody status and broader enforcement context
Following his arrest, Wiggins was remanded to the Ulster County Jail, where he is being held pending centralized arraignment. The class A-I felony charge is among the most serious drug offenses under New York law and carries significant potential prison time if convicted.
The incident highlights ongoing enforcement efforts along the I-87 corridor, a major north-south route that law enforcement agencies have long monitored for narcotics trafficking. While this case stems from a routine traffic stop, the outcome underscores how minor vehicle violations can escalate into major drug seizures.
Similar enforcement actions in the region have led to large-scale drug recoveries in recent months, particularly involving interstate travel routes through the Hudson Valley. Authorities have not indicated whether this case is connected to a broader investigation.
As of now, no additional suspects have been identified, and the case remains under investigation by the New York State Police.
