PEOPLE v. ORTIZ

The verdict was based on legally sufficient evidence (People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490), including the arresting officer s testimony that he observed defendant engage in a narcotics transaction and that during a search following defendant's arrest, he recovered 14 plastic bags containing cocaine from defendant. Although defendant was tried in absentia and there was no opportunity to conduct an in-court identification, defendant's identity was established by the arresting officer, who testified that the person arrested was the perpetrator. We perceive no abuse of sentencing discretion.

Concur — Ellerin, P. J., Williams, Mazzarelli and Buckley, JJ.