Chinese comedian Zhou Libo (left) and his lawyer (right) are interviewed after Zhou was released on bail in front of Nassau District Court, the United States, on Jan 20, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

NEW YORK -- Chinese comedian Zhou Libo has been arrested in Long Island, New York, for alleged illegal possession of a firearm and drug.

Zhou, 49, and the passenger, Shuang Tang, 30, were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Nassau County police said in a press release sent to Xinhua on Jan 20, local time.

Zhou is also charged with Mobile Phone Use While Driving. They will be arraigned on Friday at First District Court in Hempstead.

According to the release, the two men were stopped at 12:07 am on Jan 19 because their Mercedes-Benz was "being driven erratically and the operator was using a cell phone" on Bayville Road in Lattingtown.

During the investigation a black handgun holster was seen on the rear seat of the vehicle, it said.

Upon further investigation, a loaded Colt MKIV Mustang.380 pistol was recovered along with two clear plastic bags containing crack cocaine, it said.

Both occupants were placed under arrest at the scene without incident, it said.

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