Police: 3 Troy residents face drug charges
ALBANY, N.Y. » Three people from Troy were arrested during a traffic stop in Albany and were found to be in possession of crack cocaine along with marijuana, state police said.
On July 3, at approximately 3:43 a.m., State Police stopped a vehicle on I-87, in the city of Albany for a vehicle and traffic violation.
Police said that during the interview of the driver Derek L. McMaster, age 40, of Troy, for the vehicle and traffic violations, probable cause to search the vehicle and its occupants was established.
According to a news release, during the searching of the vehicle and the two passengers — Loretta C. Pringle, age 26, of Troy, and Rasheed A. Aziz, age 40, of Troy — approximately 45.6 grams of crack cocaine and approximately 26 grams of marijuana were located. Also, located during the search was several items of drug paraphernalia, police said.
All three subjects were taken into custody, transported and processed at SP Albany. The charges were:
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree; a Class B Felony (with intent to sell) — (McMaster, Pringle, Aziz);
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree; a Class B Felony (Controlled substance narcotic drug) — (McMaster, Pringle, Aziz);
• Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the 2nd degree; a Class A Misdemeanor. — (Pringle only);
• Obstruction of Governmental Administration 2nd degree; a Class A Misdemeanor. — (Aziz only);
• Unlawful Possession of Marihuana; a Violation — (McMaster, Pringle);
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 2nd degree; a Unclassified Misdemeanor — (McMaster only);
• Vehicle and Traffic Violation — (McMaster only).
Police said all three subjects are awaiting arraignment in the City of Albany Court. No bail information or return court date were made available.