Loaded Handgun, Drugs Found After Traffic Stop: Police

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Riverhead man was caught with a defaced handgun and drugs in his car after a routine traffic stop in Riverside, police said.

According to Southampton Town Police, Andre Baskin, 39, was arrested on Monday at 4:32 p.m. and was preliminarily charged with third degree criminal possession of a weapon, defaced firearm, a felony, seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, concentrated cannabis, a misdemeanor, second degree aggravated unlicensed operator, a misdemeanor, and excessive tint, a traffic infraction, police said.

On Monday, a Community Response Unit officer was conducting traffic enforcement in the Riverside area, police said.

At about 4:32 p.m. the officer observed a vehicle with excessive window tint; the officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the operator and sole occupant as Baskin, police said.

A Department of Motor Vehicle’s check of Baskin’s license found that it had been revoked for refusing to
submit to a chemical test from a prior impaired driving charge and arrest, police said.

Baskin was placed under arrest and his car was impounded, police said.

During a search of the vehicle, as per department policy for an impounded vehicle, a quantity of concentrated cannabis, also known as hash or hashish, and ammunition for a .223 assault rifle, .40 cal and 9mm, pistols, was found, police said.

A further search located a hidden compartment between the rear seat and a large stereo box; in
the compartment was a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol; the pistol had its serial numbers removed unlawfully, police said. No other firearms or weapons were located, police said.
The weapon was sent to the Suffolk County Crime Lab to determine the serial number and other forensic testing, police said.

Additional charges are expected, police said.

The Community Response Unit, in response to citizen complaints about drugs, prostitution and other quality of life offenses and issues continues to conduct both high profile enforcement and undercover operations in the Flanders/Riverside/Northampton communities to address those issues, police said.

Anyone with information about those issues or other criminal activity anywhere within the town of Southampton is asked to contact the Southampton Town Police Department’s Community Response Unit anonymously at 631-728-3451 or 631-728-3454.