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The incident began on Tuesday, March 4, at around 9:52 p.m., when troopers pulled over a gray Toyota Corolla on the Thruway in Ardsley for a cell phone violation, New York State Police announced on Thursday, March 6.
According to police, the driver, Queens resident Rafael Balbi, suddenly sped away, prompting a short pursuit that lasted less than a mile. During the chase, Balbi was seen throwing a prescription pill container and a black plastic bag out of his moving vehicle before eventually pulling over and surrendering without further incident, police said.
Troopers then searched the roadside area and found the discarded items in the grass, which allegedly contained 133 grams of cocaine; 2.2 grams of fentanyl; 5 grams of MDMA; 0.9 grams of oxycodone; and 0.3 grams of amphetamine.
A further search of Balbi’s vehicle uncovered a duffel bag filled with additional narcotics, including 992 grams of psilocybin mushrooms and edible cannabis products, according to authorities.
Balbi was arrested and taken in for processing, where he was charged with numerous drug-related felonies, tampering with evidence, and unlawful fleeing, police said.
Balbi was arraigned in Greenburgh Town Court and remanded to Westchester County Jail, with a return court date set for Friday, March 7.
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