Fort Lee police recently busted a New York man accused of stashing heroin in a secret vehicle compartment.

According to law enforcement, a Fort Lee NJ detective stopped a 2007 Toyota Camry for committing a traffic violation. The traffic offense happened on Bergen Boulevard near Hazlitt Street in Fort Lee, NJ.

The officer ran a vehicle check and learned that the car was owned by a man who resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The officer asked the 44-year-old driver about the vehicle registration but did not receive a satisfactory response; the suspect reportedly told police that he borrowed the vehicle from a friend whom he could not name.

Fort Lee NJ police later searched the car and allegedly found a hidden compartment. According to authorities, the compartment was accessible via the center console.

When police searched the compartment, they allegedly discovered three kilograms of heroin. The heroin is believed to have an estimated street value of roughly $750K.

The suspect was arrested and charged with heroin distribution.

If the suspect is eventually convicted on the very serious drug charges, he faces severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5, distribution of just a trace amount of heroin is considered a third degree felony and carries a sentence of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.

After being placed under arrest and processed, the suspect was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, NJ. His bail amount was set at $250,000.

For additional information about this case, view the NJ.com article entitled “$750K Heroin Stash Found in Secret Car Compartment, Police Say.”