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Westchester County Police Public Information Officer Kieran O’Leary confirmed that Dennis Burgos, 45, has been arraigned on a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance after he was stopped on the parkway for a routine violation.
At approximately 1 p.m., a Westchester County Police Officer stopped Burgos’ 2004 Chrysler while he was driving northbound on the parkway near Webster Avenue. While speaking with him, the officer “observed alterations had been made to the interior of the vehicle,” which indicated that a trap or hidden compartment had been installed.
The officer then deployed his partner, Jax, a narcotics detection canine that indicated the presence of an illicit substance in the rear cargo area of the Chrysler Pacifica, prompting the arrest of Burgos.
The vehicle was towed back to county police headquarters in Hawthorne, a warrant was obtained and further investigation found 3.5 kilos (roughly 8 pounds) of heroin in the hidden department Jax had identified.
In total, the heroin has an estimated street value exceeding $100,000.
Burgos was arraigned in New Rochelle City Court and charged with felony county of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance is being held without bail at the Westchester County Jail without bail.
This isn’t the first time Jax and his handler have made a major drug bust. In March, the pair sparked an investigation on the Hutch that led to the seizure of 4,500 prescription pills with a value of nearly $200,000. A week before that, the two made an arrest of a Texas man found with marijunana and a stolen handgun in his car.
“Officer Gutierrez and Jax have regularly intercepted illegal narcotics being transported on our parkways,” County Police Commissioner George N. Longworth stated. “I commend Officer Gutierrez and Jax for another job well done.”
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