Troopers Find 40 LBs of Meth During I-80 Traffic Stop


Passenger side of a Nebraska State Patrol Cruiser with a sun set in the background.

AUGUST 25, 2024 (GRETNA, NEB.)  — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested a Tennessee man after locating 40 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop on I-80 near Gretna.

Friday morning, a trooper observed a Ford F-150 failing to maintain its lane and driving on the shoulder as it was traveling eastbound on I-80 near mile marker 432. During the traffic stop, the trooper detected that the driver was impaired by drugs.

A Ralston Police Department K9 was then utilized and detected the odor of a controlled substance coming from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed dozens of packages containing suspected methamphetamine. The total weight was 40 pounds.

The driver, Jose Mojica Ortiz, 42, of Clarksville, Tennessee, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. He was lodged in Sarpy County Jail.