Troopers find over 100 pounds of marijuana in western Nebraska traffic stop

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Two men were caught Thursday with over 100 pounds of marijuana in a car near Kimball, the Nebraska State Patrol said.

Around 1:30 p.m., a trooper pulled over a Chrysler 300 for speeding on Interstate 80 west of Kimball.

When the trooper approached, he smelled marijuana coming from the car, according to the patrol.

As the trooper was preparing to search the vehicle, the patrol says the driver, 42-year-old Daniel Ledbetter of New Jersey, ran away.

The trooper chased Ledbetter and, with the help of a bystander, was able to take him into custody.

Inside, the trooper found about 120 pounds of marijuana in several duffle bags, according to the patrol.

Ledbetter and the passenger, 48-year-old Keith Wyatt of California, were arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana and possession with intent to distribute.

Ledbetter was also arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer.

Both were lodged in the Kimball County Jail.