Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

26 pounds of Marijuana confiscated in Kimball Co. in a string of I-80 traffic stops

According to a statement from the Nebraska State Patrol last Tuesday, Oct. 9, 81 pounds of marijuana and 5,000 THC vape cartridges were seized during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Kimball County.

This was one of three traffic stops on I-80 which led to five arrests within just three days.

According to the NSP the first traffic stop was Saturday, Oct. 6, when a state trooper observed an eastbound 2018 Cadillac STS fail to move over for an emergency vehicle near mile marker 185. During the traffic stop the trooper detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

After a search revealed nearly 5,000 THC hash oil vape cartridges and one ounce of suspected khat, the two occupants of the vehicle were arrested for possession with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, and no drug tax stamp.

The driver in that case, Mohamed Abdulla, 25, of Brooklyn, N.Y. and passenger, Sarhan Abdullah, 43, of New Haven, Conn., were both booked into Lincoln County Jail.

The second traffic stop revealing drugs occurred on Sunday, Oct. 7 when a trooper stopped an 2016 Toyota SUV for speeding near mile marker 18 on I-80. According to NSP the trooper conducted a search of the vehicle after becoming suspicious of criminal activity.

Troopers found 26 pounds of marijuana located in luggage located in the vehicle. Again, the vehicle contained two occupants, Keshi Wu, 38, of Alameda, Calif., and Mincho Yu, 36 of Brooklyn, N.Y. Both were arrested for possession of marijuana, more than one pound, possession with intent to deliver, and no drug tax stamp, both were booked into the Kimball County Jail.

Court records show that both, Wu and Yu appeared in court Friday, Oct. 12, and requested more time to obtain an attorney.

The third traffic stop was on Monday, Oct. 8, when a NSP trooper stopped a 2015 Lexus SUV traveling east bound for speeding near mile marker 186. During the stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity and proceeded to conduct a search of the vehicle.

According to the NSP the search revealed 55 packages of marijuana insides bags in the cargo area, total weight of the marijuana was approximately 55 pounds. Viktoria Belan, 40 of Mount Prospect, Ill., the driver of the vehicle was arrested for possession of marijuana, more than one pound, possession with intent to deliver, and no drug tax stamp. Belan was booked into Lincoln County Jail.