Traffic Stop on Taconic Parkway Turns Up Drugs and Stolen Firearm

Three young men are facing multiple felony charges after New York State Police say a traffic stop on the Taconic State Parkway led to the discovery of drugs and a stolen handgun.

According to the New York State Police, the incident happened late Monday morning in Dutchess County when troopers with the Troop K Community Stabilization Unit pulled over a vehicle for multiple traffic violations on the Taconic State Parkway in the Town of East Fishkill, NY.

Traffic Stop Turns Up Drugs on the Taconic

Police said that at approximately 11:07 a.m. on March 9, 2026, troopers stopped a 2016 Mercedes traveling northbound on the Taconic. While speaking with the occupants, troopers reportedly observed items in plain view, prompting a more thorough search of the vehicle.

During that search, investigators say they discovered approximately 8.6 grams of fentanyl inside the car.

Suspects Identified

Troopers identified the driver as 18-year-old Jazzon D. Foster of Kingston, NY. The front seat passenger was identified as 18-year-old Elijah J. Dunn of Tillson, NY, and the rear passenger was identified as 20-year-old Shaheem Jackson of Poughkeepsie, NY.

Police said that they also found Jackson to be in possession of a loaded handgun during the investigation. Authorities later determined that the firearm had previously been reported stolen in Connecticut.

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All three men were taken into custody at the scene.

Arrested & Charged in Dutchess County, NY

Following the arrest, Foster and Dunn were each charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a narcotic drug, both felonies.

Jackson faces several additional charges, including criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly possessing a loaded firearm, criminal possession of stolen property related to the handgun, and criminal possession of a firearm, along with the same narcotics charges filed against the other two suspects.

All three defendants were arraigned in the Town of Fishkill Court. Foster and Dunn were released on their own recognizance, while Jackson was sent to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center and is being held on $15,000 cash bail.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for March 13 at 4:30 p.m. in the Town of East Fishkill Court.