UTICA, NY — A Pennsylvania woman faces multiple drug charges after a traffic stop led to the discovery of cocaine in several locations.
Jamielynn Raia, 41, of Pennsylvania, was arrested Jan. 6 following a traffic stop on Schuyler Street conducted by the Utica Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit.
Officers initiated the stop for vehicle and traffic law violations.
During the stop, officers observed glass smoking devices in plain view inside the vehicle.
Occupants were removed from the vehicle, and a search of Raia revealed contraband consistent with cocaine, police said.
Raia was placed in a patrol car and transported to the Utica Police Department.
Following the transport, an officer searched the rear compartment of the patrol car and found a corner-knotted baggie containing suspected cocaine on the floorboard.
Police said the compartment is checked before and after each transport, indicating Raia attempted to discard the drugs during the trip.
After arriving at the booking area, a further search of Raia revealed a large quantity of narcotics concealed in her boot area.
An investigator with the Special Investigations Unit responded to handle charging due to the total amount of narcotics recovered.
Raia was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree and tampering with physical evidence.
