Drug Bust Uncovers Loaded Handgun, Cocaine, Marijuana in Flanders: Police

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A drug bust in Flanders Monday uncovered a loaded .38 caliber handgun, cocaine, marijuana and packaging materials and led to two arrests, police said.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's East End Drug Task Force, working with the Southampton Town Police Emergency Services Unit and a Riverhead Town Police K-9 unit, executed a search warrant on Monday at 107 Priscilla Avenue in Flanders as part of a continued spotlight on ongoing drug sales investigations on the East End, police said.

Police recovered quantities of cocaine, marijuana, scales, packaging material, cash and a loaded .38 caliber handgun, police said.

Eric Ross, 24, who lived at the house in Flanders, was arrested, as was a 19-year-old male from Baiting Hollow, police said.

Ross was charged with second degree criminal possession of a weapon, loaded firearm, a felony, third degree criminal possession of a weapon, prior conviction of any crime, a felony, third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, intent to sell, a felony, fifth degree possession of a controlled substance, weight, a felony, second degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia, scales, a misdemeanor, and third degree criminal possession of marijuana, more than eight ounces, a misdemeanor, police said.

The Baiting Hollow teen was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, police said.

Ross was held overnight at Southampton Town Police headquarters for Tuesday arraignment; the 19-year-old was released on an appearance ticket for a later court date, police said.

The East End Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement unit funded by the office of
Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota. The task force includes detectives, police officers and
law enforcement personnel from the New York State Police, Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk
County Sheriff’s Office, Suffolk County Department of Probation, Southampton Town Police
Department, Riverhead Police Department, East Hampton Town Police Department, Southampton
Village Police Department, Southold Town Police Department, the DEA, Homeland Security and Suffolk
County District Attorney investigators.