Douglas County K-9 unit finds marijuana-filled suitcases in traffic stop
Updated: 10:16 PM CDT Sep 21, 2022
SAFE. BACK TO YOU. JULIE: TWO MEN ARE ARRESTED AFTER THE DOUGLAS COUNTY DEPUTIES FINDS 90 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA IN THE TRUNK OF THEIR CAR. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE STREET VALUE OF THE DRUGS IS ABOUT $290,000. DEPUTIES SAY THE MEN WERE INITIALLY PULLED OVER FOR SPEEDING NEAR INTERSTATE 80 AND 72ND STREET. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS DRUGS IN MASSIVE QUANTITIES LIKE THIS CAN POSE A THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY. >> TYPICALLY, WITH THIS TYPE OF WEIGHT OF MARIJUANA OR ANY TYPE OF DRUG COMES SOME TYPE OF VIOLENCE SO IF WE COME ACROSS THIS WERE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF IT AND ENFORCE THE LAWS THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS. JULIE: JUAN ALVAREZ LOPEZ AND TADEO VELASQUEZ TORRES ARE BOTH FROM CALIFORNIA. THEY TOLD DEPUTIES THEY WE
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office confiscated roughly 90 pounds of marijuana from a vehicle during a traffic stop Wednesday.Officials said a sergeant stopped an eastbound vehicle for speeding near Interstate 80 and 72nd Street. While conducting the stop, the sergeant said numerous drug trafficking indicators became apparent. A language barrier resulted in a Spanish-speaking Omaha Police Department officer assisting with the stop.After probable cause was established, a K-9 unit initiated a vehicle search finding suitcases of marijuana in the trunk — around $290,000 in street value.The two California residents, Tadeo V. Velasquez and Juan S. Alvarez Lopez, were arrested for possession with the intent to deliver marijuana.A sheriff with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said this was not a case of marijuana for personal use."There will be some in our community that will criticize us for arresting these individuals for possession with the intent to deliver marijuana. The amount of marijuana is not for personal use, it's a dealer amount. With dealer amounts of drugs typically comes certain violent crimes and this is exactly what our community doesn't need now or in the future. So long as these drugs are illegal in the State of Nebraska the DCSO will vigorously enforce the law".
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Neb. —
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office confiscated roughly 90 pounds of marijuana from a vehicle during a traffic stop Wednesday.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Roughly 90 pounds of marijuana located by a Douglas County Sheriff's Office K-9 unit during an I-80 traffic stop.
Officials said a sergeant stopped an eastbound vehicle for speeding near Interstate 80 and 72nd Street.
While conducting the stop, the sergeant said numerous drug trafficking indicators became apparent. A language barrier resulted in a Spanish-speaking Omaha Police Department officer assisting with the stop.
After probable cause was established, a K-9 unit initiated a vehicle search finding suitcases of marijuana in the trunk — around $290,000 in street value.
The two California residents, Tadeo V. Velasquez and Juan S. Alvarez Lopez, were arrested for possession with the intent to deliver marijuana.
A sheriff with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said this was not a case of marijuana for personal use.
"There will be some in our community that will criticize us for arresting these individuals for possession with the intent to deliver marijuana. The amount of marijuana is not for personal use, it's a dealer amount. With dealer amounts of drugs typically comes certain violent crimes and this is exactly what our community doesn't need now or in the future. So long as these drugs are illegal in the State of Nebraska the DCSO will vigorously enforce the law".