PEOPLE v. SMITH

Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

Contrary to the defendant's contention, and viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People (People v Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish that the defendant was in constructive possession of the controlled substances found in open view on a table next to the defendant in an apartment of which he was the sole occupant (see, People v Hamilton, 56 N.Y.2d 632). Moreover, upon the exercise of our factual review power, we are satisfied that the verdict was not against the weight of the evidence (CPL 470.15; People v Dawkins, 136 A.D.2d 726). The defendant's assertion that he had no knowledge of the existence of these items is less than persuasive. Mangano, J.P., Brown, Eiber and Harwood, JJ., concur.