UNION, N.Y. — A traffic stop that began after State Police said a vehicle was speeding through a school zone in Broome County led to the discovery of black-tar heroin, a semiautomatic rifle and large-capacity magazines during a Broome County traffic stop, according to New York State Police.
State Police said Brien F. Auditor, 37, of Berkshire in Tioga County, was arrested following the Sept. 29 stop in the town of Union. The agency announced the arrest Oct. 2.
Auditor faces several felony drug and weapons charges. The accusations are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Stop began with alleged speeding in a school zone
According to State Police, members of the Violent Gang Narcotic Enforcement Unit, Community Stabilization Unit and Special Investigation Unit were involved in the arrest.
Troopers said they observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Union Center Maine Highway through a school zone and initiated a traffic stop. Police identified the driver as Auditor and said an investigation determined that he did not possess a valid driver’s license.
As the investigation continued, State Police said troopers and a police K9 located approximately 26 grams of what police described as black-tar heroin. Investigators also reported finding a loaded semiautomatic rifle and two large-capacity magazines that police said do not comply with New York law.
Police say investigation expanded to a residence
State Police said the traffic-stop investigation later led officers to Auditor’s residence, where investigators reported discovering additional firearms.
The agency said neither Auditor nor anyone at the residence had a license to possess a pistol or revolver as required under New York law. The State Police release did not specify the total number or types of additional firearms investigators said they recovered from the residence.
The release also did not provide details about whether anyone else was charged in connection with the firearms found there.
Charges filed
State Police said Auditor was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class B felonies; second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C felony; third-degree criminal possession of an assault weapon, a Class D felony; two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon involving an ammunition-feeding device, Class D felonies; and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.
State Police processed Auditor at SP Endwell before transporting him to the Broome County Correctional Facility for centralized arraignment.
The State Police release did not provide the outcome of the arraignment or information about bail. It also did not identify an attorney for Auditor.
Multiple State Police units participated
The arrest involved several specialized State Police units. According to the agency, the Violent Gang Narcotic Enforcement Unit, Community Stabilization Unit and Special Investigation Unit participated in the operation.
The release does not say whether the units were conducting a targeted operation on Union Center Maine Highway or whether the vehicle came to their attention solely because of the alleged school-zone speeding violation.
That distinction matters because the investigation appears to have broadened significantly after the initial stop. What began as an alleged traffic violation ultimately resulted in drug and weapons charges and a follow-up investigation at a residence.
What police reported recovering
The State Police account lists three key discoveries during the traffic stop: approximately 26 grams of suspected black-tar heroin, a loaded semiautomatic rifle and two large-capacity magazines that police say are prohibited under New York law.
Police then reported finding additional firearms at Auditor’s residence. The agency did not provide photographs or a detailed inventory in the text of the release reviewed by Utica Phoenix.
Laboratory testing and court proceedings can become important in drug cases because prosecutors must establish what a seized substance is and connect evidence to the charged offenses. The State Police announcement reflects the agency’s initial investigative findings, not a court determination.
Case moves into the court system
With the arrest completed, the allegations now move through the criminal justice process. The charges filed by police can be reviewed by prosecutors and the courts, and defendants have the right to challenge the evidence and allegations against them.
No conviction was reported in the State Police announcement. Utica Phoenix uses “charged,” “accused” and similar language in criminal cases until there is a guilty plea or verdict.
State Police identified Trooper Aga Tinker as the Troop C public information officer for the release. Troop C headquarters is based in Sidney and serves Broome, Tioga and several neighboring counties.
Source: New York State Police, Oct. 2, 2026. Utica Phoenix will update this report if authorities announce significant additional charges or court developments.
