Troop F Community Stabilization Unit arrest three men on the New York State Thruway on felony weapon and drugs charges

On March 24, 2026, at approximately 2:59 p.m., members of the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit observed a 2011 Mercedes-Benz traveling northbound on Interstate 87 in the Town of Tuxedo committing multiple violations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Troopers conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Samuel L. Martinez, age 36, of Amsterdam, NY. Two passengers were also identified as Jahdell D. Young-Smith, age 23, of Richmond, NY, and Zimair Tindal, age 25, of Brooklyn, NY.

During the stop, New York State Police K9 Anson conducted an exterior sniff, alerting to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded the following:

• Approximately 5 grams of cocaine

• Approximately 3 grams of oxycodone hydrochloride in pill form

• Approximately 3 grams of acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride in pill form

• Approximately 3 grams of oxycodone hydrochloride in pill form

• Approximately 6.4 grams of acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride in pill form

• Approximately 1,021 grams of marijuana

• One Polymer80 9mm pistol

• One 30-round 9mm magazine containing 31 rounds of ammunition

Martinez, Young-Smith, and Tindal were taken into custody and transported to State Police Monroe for processing without incident.

All three individuals were charged with the following offenses:

• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, Intent to Sell, a Class B felony

• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, Narcotic Drug, a Class B felony

• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 4th Degree, Narcotic Drug, a Class C felony

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, Loaded Firearm, a Class C felony

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree, Ammunition Feeding Device, a Class D felony

• Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony

• Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the 3rd Degree, more than 16 ounces, a Class A misdemeanor

• Possession of a Controlled Substance Outside of Its Original Container, a violation

Martinez was additionally issued multiple Uniform Traffic Tickets.

All three subjects were arraigned at the Orange County Centralized Arraignment Part (CAP). Martinez was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail. Young-Smith and Tindal were remanded to the Orange County Jail with bail set at $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond.

All defendants were scheduled to appear in the Town of Tuxedo Court on March 30, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.