SOUTHEAST, NY — A Queens man was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop on Interstate 684 on Feb. 10, 2026.
Manuel De Jesus Genao Gutierrez, 38, of Queens, was stopped at approximately 12:55 p.m. by members of the Troop K Community Stabilization Unit, who were assigned to the District Attorney’s Safer Highway Initiative.
Troopers observed Gutierrez’s vehicle traveling northbound in violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Gutierrez, the driver and sole occupant, consented to a search of the vehicle, during which troopers located a hidden compartment.
State Police K-9 Vinn conducted an exterior scan of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics.
The hidden compartment yielded more than 1,800 glassine envelopes containing approximately 58.1 grams of heroin; a vacuum-sealed plastic bag and numerous glass containers containing approximately 128.2 grams of cocaine; and approximately $24,000 in cash.
Gutierrez was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 2nd, a class A-II felony; two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd (intent to sell), a class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; and aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd, an unclassified misdemeanor.
He was arraigned in the Town of Carmel Court and remanded to the Putnam County Jail.
