From Deb Collins / NSP

Just after 11: 00 a.m., Saturday, May 12, a trooper stopped an eastbound 2004 Chevy minivan for failure to signal on Interstate 80 in Buffalo County, near the Elm Creek interchange. The trooper was given consent to search the vehicle. The search led to the seizure of 34.2 lbs of marijuana. The marijuana was located in two hidden compartments in the roof of the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle, Juan J. Moreno, 29, Hanover Park, IL, and a passenger in the vehicle, Jorge Gomez, 28, Lyons, IL, were both lodged in the Buffalo County Jail, each on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

Just before 6:00 a.m., Friday, May 11, a trooper stopped an eastbound 2005 Lexus ES 330 for failure to signal, four miles east of Syracuse on Highway 2.  The trooper was given consent to search the vehicle. The search led to the seizure of 4.8 lbs of cocaine.  The drugs were located in a compartment under the rear-seat of the vehicle.

The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle, Juan Miguel Mendez Velazquez, 35, Tijuana, Mexico was lodge in the Otoe County Jail on a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver