NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEBRASKA STATE PATROL
www.nsp.state.ne.us
Contact:  Deb Collins 402-479-4985
February 11, 2008   

Marijuana Seized in Buffalo- Hall County
Traffic Stops

(Lincoln, NE) – Three separate stops in Buffalo and Hall Counties led to the seizure of 76 lbs. of marijuana and the arrests of four individuals on drug charges.

During the early morning hours on Monday, February 11, 2008, a Trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol, Troop C- Headquarters, Grand Island, stopped an eastbound, red 1999 Ford with Minnesota plates for speeding on Interstate 80 near mile marker 264 in Buffalo County.   During the stop the Trooper detected the odor of marijuana.   A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of five-pounds of marijuana hidden in luggage in the trunk of the vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle, 37-year-old Bruce Wischneak, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, was taken to the Buffalo County Detention Center and booked on a charge of Possession of Marijuana with intent to Deliver.  

On Sunday, February 10, 2008, a Trooper with Troop C-Headquarters, Grand Island stopped an eastbound, blue 1986 Toyota pickup with California plates for Speeding and having a headlight out. The stop took place around 6:17 p.m., on Interstate 80, near mile marker 263, in Buffalo County.  A Nebraska State Patrol canine indicated the odor of drugs coming from the vehicle.  A canvas bag in the bed of the pickup was found to contain 30 lbs of marijuana.  The driver of the vehicle, 33-year-old Richard Pillesky of Laytonville, California and a passenger in the vehicle 24-year-old Amanda Knodle, of Willits, California, were each lodged in the Buffalo County Detention Center on a charge of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver.

A routine traffic stop on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, on the eastbound Grand Island off ramp, Interstate 80 led to the discovery of 41 lbs. of marijuana.   The stop occurred at mile marker 314 at approximately 3:12 p.m., and involved a 2008, gold, Chevrolet with California plates.   A Nebraska State Patrol canine indicated an odor of drugs.   The marijuana was discovered in suitcases in the trunk of the vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle, 39-year-old Clint Kirby of Gonzalez, California, was lodged in the Hall County Jail on a charge of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver.

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