Driver Mark Palladino, 53, and passenger Timothy Cunningham, 51, both of Little Ferry, appeared nervous when Sgt. John Andronaco stopped them for a seat belt violation just after 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Detective Lt. Ronald Klein Jr. said.
When Cunningham stepped out of the car, a used bag of heroin fell to the ground, he said.
A search turned up 45 folds of heroin in a Doritos bag behind the driver's seat and six that Cunningham stuffed into a full can of Pepsi in a cup holder, Klein said.
Both men were processed and sent to the Bergen County Jail on drug charges. Cunningham also was charged with destroying evidence.
A judge on Sunday released both, pending further court action, under New Jersey's bail reform law.
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ALSO SEE: Little Ferry police had just begun a field sobriety test for a drunk driver when their cruiser was struck from behind by another intoxicated motorist on Route 46, authorities said.
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ALSO SEE: A seat belt stop turned up several blank credit cards and checks, as well as those in the names of different people, said Little Ferry police who took three Philadelphia residents into custody.
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