K9 Kell Finds Backpack In Woods Containing Kilo Cocaine, $3K Cash After Thruway Pursuit: NYSP

TOWN OF PLATTEKILL, NY — A suspect hoped a stash of contraband would get lost in the woods, but a K9 officer had no trouble tracking the evidence in the wild, according to police.

The New York State Police say that on Wednesday, around 6:53 p.m., members of the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit saw a 2026 Nissan Altima traveling north on I-87, in the Town of Plattekill, while committing traffic violations.

Troopers tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to comply, leading to a pursuit, which lasted about 22 miles and reached speeds of up to 115 miles per hour, according to cops. The pursuit ended after a tire deflation deployment disabled the vehicle.

The driver, 32-year-old Shariff A. Frasier, of Schenectady, fled on foot after the vehicle was stopped, NYSP said. He was soon captured on Sawkill Road, in the Town of Ulster.

A 29-year-old passenger was detained at the scene, but she was later released.

During the investigation, NYSP K9 Kell found a backpack belonging to Frasier in a wooded area near Sawkill Road, cops said. The backpack was found to contain around 1 kilogram of cocaine. A search of the vehicle found approximately $3,000 in cash, according to NYSP.

Frasier was arrested and taken to the State Police Kingston barracks for processing. 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); felony first-degree reckless endangerment; misdemeanor resisting arrest; misdemeanor second-degree obstructing governmental administration; misdemeanor third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle; and misdemeanor third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He also received several traffic tickets.

Frasier was arraigned at the Ulster County Central Arraignment Part, and was remanded to the Ulster County Jail without bail.