Syracuse Man Sentenced to Twelve (12) Years for Possession of Narcotic Drugs During Traffic Stop

Auburn, NY - District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci announced today that CHANCHHAYAVAN CHOURB, 32, of Syracuse, New York, was sentenced today, before the Honorable Thomas G. Leone, to an aggregate determinate term of twelve-years of imprisonment, followed by of three-years of post-release supervision, as a second felony offender.

CHOURB was convicted after a jury trial in April of 2023 of one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, in violation of Penal Law Section 220.16 [1], a Class B  Felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, in violation of Penal Law Section 220.09 [1], a Class C Felony, arising out of a July 1, 2022 traffic stop in the City of Auburn.  The jury concluded that on July 1, 2022, at approximately 1 in the morning, while in the area of South Street and Chedell Place, in the City of Auburn, CHOURB, possessed approximately six grams of powder cocaine and over three grams of crack cocaine packaged for re-sale.   In the aggregate, the cocaine weighed well in excess of 1/8th of an ounce.

The testimony at trial established that CHOURB was in possession of cocaine following a traffic investigation. CHOURB was stopped by members of the Auburn Police Department following his failure to use his turn signal while changing lanes. Once pulled over, police learned that CHOURB possessed only a learners permit, and as the sole occupant, was not legally able to operate the vehicle. Members of the Auburn Police then ordered CHOURB to exit the vehicle. Once out of the car, CHOURB attempted to flee on foot, but was apprehended after a brief pursuit. Once in custody, officers recovered a large bag of cocaine in the North bound lane of South Street near where CHOURB took flight. Members of the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force were then called in to assist in the investigation, revealing that CHOURB was in possession of more than 1/8th of an ounce of cocaine with the intent to sell it.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Britton H. Bouchard and Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Susan Azzarelli.

“Thanks to the quick actions of the Auburn Police Department and the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force, this individual was apprehended and brought to justice.” District Attorney Grome Antonacci commented, “We commend the proactive response and efforts of these law enforcement agencies in removing narcotics from our community.”