COLONIE – Two men are facing drug and weapon charges after a routine traffic stop on Loudon Road.
According to Lt. Robert Winn, patrol officers Edward Cronin and Frank Peris detected a strong odor of marijuana when they pulled over the red, 2004 Toyota Camry on Saturday, Nov. 26 at around 11:47 p.m.
The driver of the car, 19-year-old Atorya Carter of Rensselaer, and the passenger, 20-year-old Maliem Murphy of Troy, admitted to 
smoking marijuana.
A subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted and a loaded Hi-Point 9 mm handgun was located under the front passenger seat along with a small amount of marijuana.
Both occupants were arrested and an additional three grams of crack cocaine was found on Murphy.
The two are charged with the felony of criminal possession of a weapon, misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana.
Murphy faces additional charges of criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies.
Carter was charged with operating a vehicle with an obstructed view and inadequate headlights.
Both defendants were sent to the Albany County jail.
