Officer Ryan Burke spotted the unoccupied 2003 Ford Explorer in the Ramada Inn parking lot and discovered the expired registration Friday night, Detective Sgt. James DePreta told Daily Voice.
He found the driver -- 36-year-old Gustavo Barco of Elizabeth -- who was "extremely nervous," DePreta said.
Burke found the secret compartments after Barco consented to a search, he added.
Police seized the SUV, the drugs and about $300, the sergeant said.
Barco was processed at headquarters and released pending a court hearing.
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