Cocaine Discovered In Vehicle During North Sea Traffic Stop: Police

NORTH SEA, NY —A Mastic Beach man was arrested Wednesday night after he was found with cocaine during a North Sea traffic stop, police said.

According to Southampton Town police, Carlos GarciaGarcia, 32, was arrested at 11:20 p.m .and charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug, as well as having two counts of a missing/ displayed improperly license plate, two counts of failure to stop at a stop sign, and two counts of equipment violation of no/inadequate lights.

While on regular patrol, at about 10:20 p.m., an officer observed a vehicle driving southbound on Scotts Landing Road with its passenger side headlight not functioning, and no front license plate mounted on the vehicle, police said.

As the officer began to follow the vehicle, the driver sped up and turned east on Harris Lane, rolled through the stop sign, and turned north on North Sea Road, police said.

The officer initiated a traffic stop and the driver pulled into the driveway at Old Field Lane before stopping, police said.

Upon interviewing GarciaGarcia, a strong odor of burnt marijuana could be smelled, police said. In addition, a white powdery substance could be seen on the center console and a small white rock of what appeared to be cocaine was clearly visible on the passenger side floor, police said.

GarciaGarcia's field test showed a positive result for cocaine, police said.

During a search of the vehicle, a container was located in the center console that held several small bags of a white powdery substance that also appeared to be cocaine, police said.

GarciaGarcia was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters for processing, police said.