Albany Police Arrest Two After Gun Seizure
Two suspects face weapons charges after police seized two loaded 9mm handguns during a search of a Dana Avenue home.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Albany Police Department arrested Tahiesha Smith, 39, and Syrie McDuffie, 18, after seizing two loaded 9mm handguns in a home raid on Dana Avenue near Robin Street. The arrests were part of multiple search warrants Albany police carried out across the city on Wednesday in an ongoing investigation.
Why it matters
The seizure removes loaded firearms from a residential neighborhood and reflects continued enforcement activity by the Albany Police Department. Both suspects remain in Albany County jail following their arraignments.
Smith faces two counts each of second- and third-degree weapons possession, and McDuffie faces two counts of criminal firearm possession and one count of third-degree weapons possession. Smith's next court date is Monday, November 9, and the broader investigation remains ongoing.
The players
Albany Police Department
The municipal law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling Albany, New York, and conducting the search warrants and arrests.
Tahiesha Smith
A 39-year-old Albany resident arrested in connection with the weapons seizure and charged with multiple weapons possession counts.
Syrie McDuffie
An 18-year-old arrested after the Dana Avenue search and charged with criminal firearm possession and third-degree weapons possession.
The details
Police searched a residence on Dana Avenue near Robin Street under a search warrant and found two loaded 9mm handguns. The search was one of multiple warrants Albany police executed across the city on Wednesday.
Timeline
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Albany police carry out multiple search warrants, including the Dana Avenue raid.
Monday, November 9, 2026: Tahiesha Smith's next court date.
Legal Context
The charges filed against Smith and McDuffie fall under New York's tiered weapons possession statutes, which distinguish offenses by degree. The case shows how Albany prosecutors apply those graded charges when loaded handguns are recovered from a residence.
Residents near Dana Avenue and Robin Street may see continued police activity tied to the ongoing investigation. The arrests remove loaded firearms from the neighborhood, though the source does not describe specific safety advisories for residents.
The takeaway
Loaded firearms recovered from residential searches frequently lead to graded weapons charges, and court dates like Smith's November 9 hearing will determine how the case proceeds. Residents can follow Albany court proceedings for updates on the charges.
What happens next
Smith's next court date is Monday, November 9, 2026.
Further reading
Find more coverage in Law Enforcement for Albany.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New City Daily Voice.
