Nearly 30 arrested on federal, state drug charges across Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska law enforcement agencies arrested several people Tuesday morning as part of a drug trafficking investigation.

At a press conference in North Platte, the FBI’s Omaha Division announced that 29 people were arrested in towns across Nebraska.

The suspects face federal and state drug charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska released the names of 19 people arrested on federal charges:

• Alejandro Ruiz, 41, of California; conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine
• Guadalupe Ramirez, 38, of North Platte; conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine
• Roberto Duran, 33, of Brule; conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine
• Michael Shawn Harrell, 47, of Ogallala, conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine
• Eduardo Gomez, 33, of North Platte; conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine
• Carl McKinney, 37, of Kentucky; conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine
• Jamie Hopkins, 37, of North Platte; conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and distribution of meth
• Michael Stroble, 30, of North Platte; conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and distribution of meth
• Joey Romero, 36, of North Platte; conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and distribution of meth
• Luke Schwarz, 30, of North Platte; conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and distribution of meth
• Jessica Binegar, 37, of North Platte; distribution of 5 grams or more of actual meth
• John Hernandez, 35, of Lincoln; distribution of 5 grams or more of actual meth
• Brad Leeper, 46, of North Platte; distribution of 5 grams or more of actual meth
• Wesley Kraft, 36, of Lincoln; distribution of 5 grams or more of actual meth
• Timothy Huisman, 39, of North Platte; distribution of 5 grams or more of actual meth
• Shane Ross, 46, of Ogallala; distribution of 5 grams or more of actual meth
• Richard Torres, 44, of Brule; conspiracy and distribution of 5 grams or more of actual meth
• Timothy Maisner, 62, of North Platte; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine
• Eddie Houpt, 59, of North Platte; distribution of 5 grams or more of actual meth

The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office has not identified those facing state charges.

“More than 150 police officers, sheriff’s deputies, state troopers and federal agents participated in the enforcement action today,” said Eugene Kowel, special agent in charge of FBI Omaha.

Kowel said that the work isn’t finished and that authorities are continuing to “dismantle significant drug trafficking operations” in Nebraska.

This morning 29 individuals were arrested in multiple towns across Nebraska on federal and state drug charges. The investigation was led by the FBI Omaha, North Platte resident agency, an CODE Task Force. @NEStatePatrol @USAO_NE pic.twitter.com/XDBEOHYj00

— FBI Omaha (@FBIOmaha) January 23, 2024