KEARNEY — More than 300 pounds of marijuana were seized during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 Wednesday.
According to the Nebraska State Patrol, a trooper stopped an eastbound 2012 Chevy Traverse for failure to signal near the Shelton exit on I-80 at 12:30 p.m.
A State Patrol canine indicted the odor of drugs coming from the vehicle and a search led to the seizure of 330 pounds of marijuana packaged in seven duffel bags in the cargo area of the vehicle.
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The driver, James Villa, 42, and a passenger, Brenda C. Noriega, 23, both of Tucson, Ariz., each are charged with one count of intent to deliver a controlled substance, a Class III felony with a maximum sentence of 20 years.
Villa and Noriega are being held in Buffalo County Jail on 10 percent of $100,000 bond.
Troopers take 360 pounds of pot off Nebraska streets
The Nebraska State Patrol said separate traffic stops on Wednesday took a total of 360 pounds of marijuana off the street, literally.
Troopers found 330 pounds of marijuana in the cargo area of a Chevy Traverse driven by an Arizona man passing through Buffalo County. A Michigan man in Hamilton County was traveling with 30 pounds of marijuana strapped to the luggage rack of a Cadillac Escalade, troopers said.
Both men were traveling east on Interstate 80 toward Omaha.
Troopers said four people were arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver in connection with the two drug busts.
