Rudolfo M. Mendez-Hernandez, 26, of La Quinta, Calif. faces several drug charges
RIDGEFIELD PARK - Police arrested a California man on Sunday, seizing $1 million worth of heroin and pills during a search of his minivan, authorities said.
Rudolfo M. Mendez-Hernandez, 26, of La Quinta, Calif. was arrested after Officer Steven Fernandez spotted the minivan without registration or license plates about 3 a.m. in the lot of the Hampton Inn on Route 46, according to Lt. Joseph Rella of the Ridgefield Park Police Department.
"Upon further inspection of the exterior of the vehicle, Officer Fernandez observed what he identified as an aftermarket trap under the vehicle," Rella said in a statement.
Police placed the area under surveillance, obtained a search warrant and impounded the minivan, Rella said.
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A search of the vehicle at police headquarters officers turned up 12 kilos of heroin and 500 opiate pills with a street value of just over $1 million, Rella said.
Shortly after the vehicle was impounded, Mendez-Hernandez attempted to flee in a taxi, Rella said.
Police arrested Mendez-Hernandez before he could get into the taxi, Rella said.
Mendez-Hernandez was charged with manufacturing or distributing heroin and opiate pills, two counts of possession drugs and one count of possession of paraphernalia.
The suspect was held at the Bergen County Jail, Rella said.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.