Two city men were arrested in a motor vehicle stop on 21st Avenue and $200,000 worth of cocaine and 519 bags of heroin hidden inside a secret car compartment was seized on Tuesday, according to Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik.
Rolando Gonzalez, 32, and Christopher Penaranda, 23, were arrested on various drug related offenses.
Gonzalez and Penaranda were circling around 21st Avenue in a 2007 Honda Odyssey with tinted windows when detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of East 19th Street, according to authorities.
Berdnik said the vehicle was being driven by Gonzalez and Penaranda was a passenger. A search of the minivan resulted in the discovery of hydraulic operated hidden compartments between the front driver and passenger seats.
“These compartments are commonly used by drug traffickers to conceal illegal contraband from law enforcement,” Berdnik said. Detectives seized four pound of pure cocaine and 519 glassine envelopes of heroin.
519 glassines of heroin also seized. $7,230 in drug money was confiscated. Authorities said the vehicle was seized pending forfeiture. Both men are being held in Paterson police lock up.
Berdnik thanked the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) New Jersey office for assisting in the investigation.
”Drug dealers think, by having traps and hidden compartments, will make tougher to be caught, they are sadly mistaken. Sheriff’s Office Detectives are well trained and a step ahead of criminal element,” Berdnik said.