Nebraska state troopers said Thursday that they had seized more than 1,850 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $5 million.
About 6 p.m. Wednesday near Geneva, a trooper stopped a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van that was driving on the shoulder of U.S. Highway 81, a Nebraska State Patrol spokesman said. During the traffic stop, a patrol K9 alerted troopers to the possible presence of a controlled substance inside the van.
Troopers searched the van. The patrol spokesman said they found 1,853 pounds of marijuana, 8,779 doses of hash oil for vape pens and 46 pounds of loose hash wax.
The driver, a 39-year-old man from Arvada, Colorado, was arrested on suspicion of possession of more than 1 pound of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver and having no drug tax stamp.
Troopers to target pot-influenced drivers on 4/20
Nebraska State Patrol troopers in the eastern part of the state will be cracking down on drugged drivers in a special enforcement operation Friday.
The effort involving troopers from the Omaha and Lincoln offices is aimed at reducing the potential for crashes related to marijuana impairment, the patrol said.
Friday’s drugged-driving crackdown is paid for partly with a $4,200 grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office.
April 20 is referred to as 420 day by some, with 420 being code for pot in cannabis culture.
