Shawn Amponsah-
In Ramapo, NY, a routine traffic stop on Interstate 87 led to the arrest of two men in possession of a significant quantity of narcotics, authorities reported.
On the evening of February 28, 2025, at approximately 8:26 p.m., New York State Troopers from Troop T, SP Tarrytown, were conducting a traffic enforcement operation as part of the Rockland County Violent Crime Suppression Detail. During the operation, troopers stopped a 2019 Honda Pilot on the New York State Highway in the Town of Ramapo for a violation of vehicle and traffic law.
Officers questioned the driver, Robert Morales, age 57, of Rensselaer, and his passenger, Irving Prado, age 51, of the Bronx. A police K-9 unit, K-9 Odin, was deployed during the stop and signaled the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A subsequent probable cause search uncovered approximately 48.5 grams of fentanyl and 56 grams of crack cocaine.
Both Morales and Prado were arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree possession of a narcotic drug weight ½ Ounce or more (Penal Law 220.16 subsection 12) and intent to sell (Penal Law 220.16 subsection 1). These charges are classified as Class B felonies under New York State law.
Following their arrests, the suspects were arraigned before Judge Michael Bongiorno in Clarkstown Town Court and ordered to be held at the Rockland County Jail. They are scheduled to reappear in Ramapo Town Court on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of traffic enforcement in disrupting drug trafficking and other criminal activities along major transportation routes.