Loaded Handgun Found During North Fork Traffic Stop: Cops

RIVERHEAD, NY — A Southold man was arrested and charged after he was found with a loaded handgun during a traffic stop, police said.

According to Southold Town Police, the incident took place on Wednesday at 1:43 p.m. on Reeve Rd. in Mattituck when Jeffrey Ireland, 27, of Riverhead was driving a 2003 sedan north and stopped for a traffic violation.

During the stop, officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle; Ireland was found to be in possession of marijuana and was placed under arrest, transported to Southold Town Police headquarters for processing, and released to the custody of the New York State Police for an outstanding arrest warrant, police said.

Nigel Ortiz, 25, of Southold, a passenger in the vehicle, was also found to be in possession of marijuana — as well as a loaded handgun, police said.

Ortiz was arrested, charge with second degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana, processed and held for arraignment, police said.