NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEBRASKA STATE PATROL
www.nsp.state.ne.us
Contact:  Deb Collins 402-479-4985
February 1, 2008   

Troopers Seize Gun & Drugs during I-80 Stops

(Lincoln, NE) – Three separate traffic stops on Interstate-80 during the week January 27, 2008 led to the arrest of four individuals, the recovery of a stolen weapon and the seizure of 96 lbs. of marijuana.

On Sunday, January 27, 2008, a Trooper with Troop D- North Platte stopped an eastbound 2002 Toyota Camry with Iowa plates, for speeding, just west of North Platte, Nebraska, in Lincoln County.   The Trooper observed marijuana residue and detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  A search of the car led to the discovery of a cardboard box in the trunk of the vehicle.  The box contained 19 lbs. of marijuana packaged in 18 vacuum sealed bags.  The driver of the vehicle 22-year-old Paul Hugo of Sioux City, Iowa and a passenger 22-year-old Maxwell Swanson also of Sioux City, were lodged in the Lincoln County Jail, each on a charge of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver.

A second stop, by a Trooper on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, near the Platte River Bridge in Sarpy County, resulted in the seizure of 25 lbs. of marijuana and a stolen .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. 
At approximately 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, a Trooper with Headquarters Troop-Lincoln, stopped an eastbound 2008 Dodge Avenger with Arizona plates for Following Too Close.  A probable cause search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 25lbs. of marijuana and a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun.  The marijuana and gun were located in luggage in the trunk of the vehicle.   The marijuana was packaged in individual vacuum sealed bags.  A records check of the gun revealed it had been entered as stolen out of Phoenix, Arizona.   The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle 24-year-old Jesse Mix, of Glendale, Arizona was lodged in the Sarpy County Jail on a charge of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver and Felon in Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

On Wednesday, January 30, 2008 around 6:15 p.m., a Trooper with Troop C- Grand Island stopped a 2008 Cadillac Escalade with Utah plates for having a headlight out.  The SUV was headed eastbound near the Utica Interchange, in Seward County.  A Nebraska State Patrol canine indicated an odor of drugs coming from the vehicle.   A subsequent search led to the seizure of 52 lbs. of marijuana in 47 vacuum sealed bags.   Two grams of Hashish were also seized.   The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle 22-year-old Andrea Maldonado of Kirkwood, Missouri, was lodged in the Seward County Jail on a charge of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver.

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