California pair faces felony drug charges in Cortlandville

CORTLANDVILLE, N.Y. — Troopers found a large quantity of drugs and an illegal stun gun after searching a vehicle during a traffic stop on I-81 in Cortland County Saturday, according to state police.

The driver, identified as Miguel A. Leon Payan, 19, of Colton, Calif, was charged with felony criminal possession of a controlled substance, two drug-related misdemeanors and several traffic violations.

Police also arrested his passenger, Jose F. Melcher, Jr., 18, of Hunting Park, Calif. on felony and misdemeanor drug charges and criminal possession of a weapon.

Miguel A. Leon Payann and Jose F. Melcher, Jr. (Photo: New York State Police)

Miguel A. Leon Payann and Jose F. Melcher, Jr. (Photo: New York State Police)

The pair were pulled over Saturday morning for driving 80 mph in a 65 mph zone on I-81 southbound in Cortlandville, state police said in a news release.

After detecting an odor of marijuana, troopers searched the vehicle and found eight grams of crystal meth, two grams of cocaine, 15 grams of marijuana, a drug scale and an illegal stun gun.

Payan and Melcher were arraigned in Cortlandville Town Court and taken to Cortland County Jail with no bail set.