I-80 traffic stop leads to 117 pounds of cocaine, fentanyl

KEARNEY, Neb. — Nebraska state troopers seized 117 pounds of cocaine and fentanyl on April 26 after stopping a semitrailer that was weaving due to high winds on Interstate 80 near Kearney.

The trooper became suspicious after discovering the driver did not have an electric logging device, according to the Kearney Hub.

Troopers searched the vehicle and discovered a false compartment underneath a refrigeration unit in the empty trailer. The compartment contained 42 foil-wrapped packages containing 73 pounds of cocaine and 44 pounds of a powder suspected to be fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.

"Because of the dangerous nature of the substance, troopers do not perform field testing on suspected fentanyl," according to a Nebraska State Patrol news release. The powder will be tested at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab.

The street value of the drugs is estimated between $5 million and $10 million.

The driver of the truck, Felipe Genao-Minaya, 46, and passenger, Nelson Nunez, 52, both of New Jersey, were arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Both men were lodged in Buffalo County Jail.