Two New Jersey men are behind bars after Nebraska State Patrol troopers found 117 pounds of drugs during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near Kearney.
The patrol says a trooper observed an eastbound 2013 Freightliner truck-tractor and semi-trailer driving on the shoulder near mile marker 280 last Thursday. During the stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.
Troopers searched the vehicle and discovered a false compartment located in the empty trailer. Hidden in the compartment were 42 foil-wrapped packages containing 73 pounds of cocaine and 44 pounds of an unknown powder suspected to be fentanyl.
The drugs carry an estimated street value of $5 million-$10 million. Because of the dangerous nature of the substance, troopers do not perform field testing on suspected fentanyl. Testing at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab will confirm if it is fentanyl.
The driver of the truck, 46 year old Felipe Genao-Minaya, and his passenger, 52 year old Nelson Nunez, were arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and no Drug Tax stamp.
Both men are in the Buffalo County Jail.