Nebraska troopers find 2 pounds of cocaine, 222 pounds of marijuana in I-80 stops

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Two were arrested Tuesday on multiple drug charges in separate traffic stops on Interstate 80, the Nebraska State Patrol says.

The first arrest happened around 11:20 a.m. after a trooper pulled over a GMC Sierra at a rest area near Kearney

The trooper became suspicious of criminal activity, and a dog detected the odor of a controlled substance, NSP said.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers found 2 pounds of cocaine inside the center console.  They then arrested the driver, Dionicio Sandoval Alvarez, 31, of Woodridge, Virginia.

Alvarez was arrested on suspicion of possessing more than 140 grams of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver and having no drug tax stamp.  He was lodged in the Buffalo County Jail.

The second arrest happened around 2:40 p.m. when a trooper pulled over a Nissan Quest that was speeding near Waco.

The trooper smelled marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, NSP said.

Troopers searched the vehicle and found 222 pounds of marijuana inside a duffel bag.  They then arrested the driver, Rigoberto Prado Barajas, 23, of Patterson, California.

Barajas was arrested on suspicion of possessing more than one pound of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver and having no drug tax stamp.  He was lodged in the York County Jail.