A routine traffic stop in Auburn led to the arrest of two men on felony drug charges after police discovered cocaine and cash in their possession, authorities said.
The incident occurred on March 7 when Auburn police conducted a stop on a vehicle near 162 State Street due to a turn signal violation. The vehicle contained five occupants, including John P. Lombardo and Brian M. Nowak. During the stop, officers learned that Lombardo had an active bench warrant issued by Auburn City Court. He was removed from the vehicle and arrested.
Upon searching Lombardo, police found powder cocaine, a digital scale, and a significant amount of cash. Further investigation revealed that Nowak was also in possession of multiple individually packaged quantities of cocaine along with a large sum of cash. He was taken into custody at the scene.
Both men were transported to Auburn Police Department headquarters, where they were processed and held for Centralized Arraignment. Lombardo and Nowak, both residents of Cayuga County, face charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony.
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