Traffic stop leads to loaded gun arrest

The New York State Police in Haverstraw arrested ALFONSO CORTEZ, 37 of  Bronx, NY,  for criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.  Cortez was operating a vehicle that was stopped for NY State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations on the Palisades Interstate Parkway in the Town of Orangetown and was found to possess a quantity of marijuana.  A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of an illegally possessed, loaded, Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun, three magazines and numerous rounds of 9mm ammunition.  He was also found to be in possession of heroin and was additionally charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.  He is currently awaiting arraignment in the Town of Orangetown Court.