Seward County 200 pounds. of methamphetamine seized during a traffic stop

KETV Investigates took a closer look at what is believed to be the largest meth bust in Nebraska history. On April 25, a Seward County Interdiction Task Force deputy discovered 200 pounds of suspected crystal meth during a traffic stop on I-80. “I’ve never seen this much meth in one place before,” said Seward County Sheriff Michael Vance. He estimates the street value of the drugs is $7.2 million. “That’s a lot of money and a lot of drugs there,” Vance said. said.For Deputy Michael Mejstrik, it started as just a routine traffic stop on I-80, just east of Seward. “Talking to the driver during the enforcement action at my checkpoint, I began to suspect something was going on,” Mejstrik said. His partner Storm, a German Shepherd K-9, knocked outside the SUV. Inside the vehicle, Mejstrik found the suspected drugs in a trash bag and three bins. “You never know what you’re going to find when you search these vehicles,” Mejstrik said. In this case, it turned out to be the largest methamphetamine seizure in state history. “It’s easier for them to transport them across the border. “Putting more product in to get more across at a time,” Vance said. And what makes this business more rewarding is that , according to investigators, his suspected destination was the Lincoln area “It’s pretty gratifying to know we’re getting him off the street. “It was intended for an area that would have had a significant impact on our community,” Mejstrik said. “Knowing how many people that 200 pounds could have affected, especially in that geographic area,” Vance said. The 12-year-old driver of the SUV was from California. He was turned over to federal authorities for further legal action. Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

SEWARD COUNTY, Neb. —

KETV Investigates took a closer look at what is believed to be the largest meth bust in Nebraska history.

On April 25, a Seward County Interdiction Task Force deputy discovered 200 pounds of suspected crystal meth during a traffic stop on I-80.

“I’ve never seen this much meth in one place before,” said Seward County Sheriff Michael Vance.

He estimates the street value of the drugs is $7.2 million.

“That’s a lot of money and a lot of drugs,” Vance said.

For Assemblyman Michael Mejstrik, it started as just a routine stop on I-80 just east of Seward.

“Talking to the driver during the enforcement action during my stop, I began to suspect something was going on,” Mejstrik said.

His partner Storm, a K-9 German shepherd, struck the exterior of the SUV.

Inside the vehicle, Mejstrik found the suspected drugs in a trash bag and three bins.

“You never know what you’re going to find when you search these vehicles,” Mejstrik said.

In this case, it turned out to be the largest methamphetamine seizure in state history.

“I was quite surprised by the amount of narcotics I located,” Mejstrik said.

But law officials say it’s increasingly common to find larger quantities of drugs during traffic stops, especially narcotics.

“It’s become easier for them to transport them across the border. That way, they’re putting more product in to get more across at the same time,” Vance said.

And what makes this arrest even more gratifying is that, according to investigators, his alleged destination was the Lincoln area.

“It’s pretty gratifying to know that we’re getting it off the streets. It was intended for an area that would have had a significant impact on our community,” Mejstrik said.

“Knowing how many people that 200 pounds could have affected, especially in that geographic area. That’s concerning,” Vance said.

The 44-year-old driver of the SUV was from California. He was turned over to federal authorities for further prosecution.

Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7