Glad troopers’ K9 unit made big bust

Dear Editor,

Having family in the McCook and Cozad areas, I was glad to read the article: “Troopers find drugs inside foam statues” (Aug 23 issue).

The article told how troopers confronted two people in a Volkswagen Passat at a rest area along westbound I-80 near Cozad. During the encounter with two occupants from California, a Nebraska State Patrol K-9 dog detected the smell of a suspicious substance. Moments later, Troopers discovered two hallow statues that had an astounding 59 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and 9 pounds of suspected fentanyl.

This was a large quantity. The two individuals were arrested at approximately 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 18th. Obviously, the car was impounded. The duo was charged with both “possession” and “possession with intent to deliver.”

It is great that the K-9 unit made such a large bust to get those drugs off the streets. However, it is scary to contemplate the amount of drugs which is smuggled successfully along the I-80 corridor.

The pair of suspects were obviously headed cross-country and it illustrates how the illicit drug trade is a nationwide problem, which crisscrosses Nebraska. The news article showed a picture of the hallow statues which hid the drugs. I almost wish that every vehicle caught with illegal drugs ought to go to a “car crusher” at a salvage yard and then sent to a smelter, in case any other drugs were still concealed.

At any rate, I applaud the diligence of the Nebraska State Troopers and especially the K-9 Officer for a job well done.

Sincerely,

James A. Marples,

Longview, Texas