Traffic Violation Leads to Narcotics Arrest of Mahopac Man
A 26 year-old Mahopac resident who was pulled over for a traffic violation was arrested in Putnam Valley on criminal charges stemming from his alleged illegal possession of various narcotics, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department.
It was reported that at about 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 7, 2012, the Sheriff’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit observed a vehicle being operated in an erratic manner on Wood Street in Putnam Valley. The deputy sheriffs claim that upon further investigation, they learned that the operator of the car possessed two plastic baggies containing a substance believed to be cocaine.
The driver, Andrew M. Elliot of Baldwin Street, Mahopac was taken into custody.
An additionally two packets of Suboxone, 145 packets of heroin and several pieces of electrical and lighting equipment commonly used for the indoor growing of marijuana were found in the vehicle after a search, according to the sheriff’s department.
Elliot was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and driving left of pavement markings. He was arraigned before Philipstown Town Justice Alan Steiner, acting on behalf of the Town of Putnam Valley Justice Court. Elliot was remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $75,000 cash bail.
At the time of Elliot’s arrest, deputies also seized approximately $100 in cash and the 2004 Toyota sedan he was driving. These items are being held pending asset forfeiture proceedings. The investigation into the suspect and his activities continues. Additional narcotics-related criminal charges are anticipated.
If convicted of the most serious charge, Elliot may be sentenced to a jail term for up to nine years in a New York State correctional facility as determined by a court.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
