Routine Traffic Stop In Hudson Valley Leads to K9 Search and Drug Arrest

Routine traffic stop in the Hudson Valley results in a major drug arrest.

When driving, they always say, watch out for the other guy. You never know who is traveling next to you, behind you or in the oncoming lanes of traffic. You would like to think everyone is wide awake and sober but that was certainly not the case last week in Kinderhook, NY. Here's what happened.

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On Wednesday December 3rd, according to a press release, New York State Troopers noticed a motor vehicle violation on a car traveling southbound on State Route 9H at approximately 7:15pm. Troopers then pulled the car over for a violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

As part of this traffic stop the investigating Trooper decided to conduct an exterior scan of the vehicle with the assistance of State Police K9 J. This investigation resulted in the positive alert for the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search of the driver resulted in the discovery of approximately 50.8 grams of crack cocaine on his person.

New York State Police have arrested 28-year-old Markus A. Vanalstyne of Hudson, New York. Vanalstyne was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree with intent to sell, a class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance (narcotic), also a class B felony; and driving while ability impaired by drugs, an unclassified misdemeanor.

Vanalstyne was arraigned before the Town of Stockport Court and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to reappear in the Town of Kinderhook Court on December 19, 2025.