Rome traffic stop leads to drug charges for 2 men

ROME — A traffic stop for an equipment violation on Floyd Avenue led to drug charges against two men after police discovered cocaine and fentanyl in their vehicle.

Jeffrey D. Blount, 35, of Utica, was pulled over by Rome Police Department patrol officers in the 1100 block of Floyd Avenue at approximately 11:39 a.m. on June 9.

Blount was found to have a suspended driver’s license and was arrested for aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree.

A male passenger fled the scene during the traffic stop.

During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers found drugs underneath the front passenger seat.

The substances were turned over to the Rome Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit for testing.

One substance tested positive for cocaine with an aggregate weight of approximately 7.45 grams.

The other substance tested positive for fentanyl compound and/or methamphetamine with an aggregate weight of approximately 8.71 grams.

Both substances were sent to the New York State Police Crime Lab for further evaluation.

Blount was additionally charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree.

He was processed and held for arraignment.

Police later identified the passenger as Tazmin R. Boyd, 32, of Rome, who is on New York State parole.

Boyd was located and arrested at 11:20 a.m. on June 26.

He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree.

Boyd was processed and held for arraignment.