When battling a traffic ticket you may want to leave your cocaine at home.

Police say a Saugerties man did not heed that advice when appearing for a vehicle and traffic matter on Wednesday.

Michael J. Rich of the Bronx was appearing at the Town of Saugerties courthouse on High Street to take care of an innocent traffic ticket on January 15. That's when police say they witnessed the 35-year-old man drop a bag containing a powdery substance.

Officers conducted a field test of the bag and determined that it was positive for cocaine. Rich was immediately taken into custody and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree, a misdemeanor.

After being processed at police headquarters, Rich was released by the Village of Saugerties Justice Court, but will now have to return to the same courthouse again on January 28 to answer to the new, more serious charge.

More From WZAD-WCZX The Wolf