OVERTON, Neb. – The following is from the Nebraska State Patrol:
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) arrested a California man and seized more than 25 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Dawson County.
At approximately 6:15 p.m., Friday, February 19, a trooper observed a Hyundai Azera fail to stop at a stop sign after exiting Interstate 80 at the Overton interchange, at mile marker 248. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.
A search of the vehicle revealed 26 packages inside a duffel bag in the trunk. 25 of the packages contained methamphetamine, with a total weight of 26 pounds. The final package contained .3 pounds of pills, suspected to contain fentanyl.
The driver, Octavio Padilla-Garcia, 35, of Los Angeles, California, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and no drug tax stamp.
Padilla-Garcia was lodged in Dawson County Jail.