Given the arresting officer's expertise concerning drug trafficking by bus passengers, his observations of defendant's conduct and demeanor provided an objective, credible reason for approaching defendant to request information ( see, People v Hollman, 79 N.Y.2d 181, 193). Although the officer had already observed defendant deposit a bag under the bus, the officer's initial inquiry as to whether defendant was carrying any luggage was neither accusatory nor intimidating, and thus did not take the encounter beyond a request for information ( supra, at 191-192). Once defendant denied ownership of the bag, which was contrary to the officer's observations, the officer had a founded suspicion that criminal activity was afoot, permitting further inquiry.
Concur — Sullivan, J.P., Milonas, Ellerin, Tom and Mazzarelli, JJ.