Carmel Police Arrest New York Man After Traffic Stop Uncovers Suspected Drugs

According to a press release from The Town of Carmel Police Department, a routine traffic stop in Carmel turned into a felony drug arrest after a police K9 allegedly detected narcotics inside the vehicle.

Police say the incident happened shortly after 10 p.m. on Friday, September 18, when Officer Arini stopped a Mercedes-Benz sedan on Gleneida Avenue in the Carmel hamlet. The officer reportedly saw the vehicle cross over the double yellow line while traveling west on Route 6. A check of the vehicle also showed that its inspection had expired.

During the traffic stop, Officer Arini requested assistance from K9 Officer DeSantola and his partner, K9 Pietro. According to police, Pietro conducted a narcotics sniff around the vehicle and alerted officers to the possible presence of drugs.

That led officers to search the Mercedes. Police say they found a scale containing white powder residue inside the center console. Officers then searched a locked glove compartment, where they allegedly discovered a zippered pouch containing two plastic bags with approximately 44.6 grams of suspected crack cocaine. Police also say they found ten glassine envelopes containing suspected heroin.

The driver, identified by police as 23-year-old Owen Guo of Fresh Meadows, New York, was arrested and charged with felony-level criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Guo was taken to Carmel Police Headquarters for processing before being transported to the Putnam County Jail. He was being held there pending arraignment in Carmel Town Court, and the vehicle was impounded.

As always, an arrest is not a conviction. The charges are accusations, and Guo is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Police are asking anyone with information about narcotics activity in the Town of Carmel to contact the department.