The Nebraska State Patrol seized 730 lbs. of marijuana with an estimated street value of $2.5 million.

Just before noon on Monday, November 4, troopers at the Waverly scales, eastbound Interstate 80, conducted a routine inspection on a J & J Transport semi-trailer truck out of San Bernardino, California. During the inspection, it was discovered the co-driver was wanted on an active warrant for failure to appear out of Lincoln County.  The co-driver, Marcel Bud, 40, Taylor, Mich., was lodged on the warrant in the Lancaster County Corrections. The driver of the semi, Julio Pena Sanchez, 48, La Palma, Calif., was allowed to continue on.

After further investigation, NSP investigators re-contacted the driver of the semi around 9:00 p.m., Monday, November 4, at a truck stop just off the Northwest 48^th street exit in Lincoln.  A probable cause search was conducted. The search led to the seizure of 730 lbs. of marijuana. The marijuana bundles were concealed in boxes of produce in the trailer of the semi. The marijuana has an estimated street value of 2.5 million dollars.

Sanchez, the driver of the semi was taken into custody and lodged in Lancaster County Corrections on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. Marcel Bud, the co-driver of the semi, who was already incarcerated on an outstanding warrant, was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.