Southampton traffic stop yields weapons, drug arrest, cops say

Southampton Town Police who were conducting a traffic stop Monday afternoon collared a suspect they said was carrying a load of drugs, ammunition and a loaded gun.

Officers from the Community Response Unit were conducting traffic enforcement shortly after 4:30 p.m. Monday when they said they encountered a car driven by Andre Baskin, 39, of Riverhead, that had excessive window tint.

Investigating officers discovered that Baskin’s license had been revoked for refusing to submit to a chemical test, a sanction stemming from an arrest for impaired driving. Officers arrested Baskin, impounded and searched his vehicle, and said they found “concentrated cannabis” or hash, ammunition for a .223 caliber rifle, and two pistols — a .40-caliber and a 9 mm.

Officers said they also located a compartment in the car where they recovered a 9mm Ruger that had its serial numbers defaced. The gun was sent to the Suffolk County Crime Lab to determine its serial number and for forensic testing, police said.

Baskin was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree aggravated unlicensed of a motor vehicle and excessive tint, which is a traffic infraction, police said.

Other charges may be filed, police said.

Neither Baskin nor his attorney could be reached for comment and it was unclear Wednesday whether he had been arraigned on the charges.