Pike man faces drug charges after traffic stop

Richard Gargula, 34 of Pike, was arrested following a traffic stop on Shearing Road in the Town of Gainesville. Gargula was stopped after he was observed driving a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. Gargula failed field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for driving while impaired by drugs. He was allegedly found to be in possession of suspected cocaine and heroin. Gargula was evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert and found to be impaired by multiple drug categories. Gargula was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (A misdemeanor), Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (misdemeanor), Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Third Degree (misdemeanor) and Tampering with Physical Evidence (Class E Felony). During the traffic stop, Gargula allegedly attempted to conceal evidence by getting out of his car and tossing suspected cocaine inside a nearby residence. Gargula was arraigned in the Village of Warsaw Court and committed to Wyoming County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. He is due back in court at a later date.