ARDSLEY — A Queens man faces multiple felony drug charges after fleeing a traffic stop and throwing narcotics from his vehicle on the New York State Thruway.
On March 4 at about 9:52 p.m., New York State Police from the Tarrytown barracks conducted a traffic stop on a gray Toyota Corolla for a cell phone violation.
The driver, Rafael Balbi, 41, of Queens, drove away from the stop, initiating a brief pursuit that lasted less than one mile.
During the chase, Balbi threw a prescription pill container and a black plastic bag from his moving vehicle before pulling over and being taken into custody without further incident.
Troopers searched the highway shoulder and recovered the discarded items, which included plastic bags containing cocaine, fentanyl, MDMA, oxycontin, and an amphetamine pill.
A search of Balbi’s vehicle revealed a duffle bag containing psilocybin mushrooms and edible cannabis products.
The arrest resulted in the seizure of 992 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 133 grams of cocaine, 5 grams of MDMA, 2.2 grams of fentanyl, 0.9 grams of oxycodone, and 0.3 grams of amphetamine.
Balbi was transported to SP Tarrytown for processing and charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree with intent to sell, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, tampering with evidence, and unlawful fleeing.
Following arraignment in Greenburgh Town Court, Balbi was remanded to the Westchester County Jail with a return court date of March 7.
