Nebraska troopers seize 118 pounds of fentanyl during traffic stop

BUFFALO COUNTY, Neb. (KMSP) - Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested two men after seizing 118 pounds of fentanyl from a false compartment in an empty trailer last month.

Around 10:20 a.m. April 26 on Interstate 80 near Kearney, the trooper noticed a Freightliner truck-tractor and semi-trailer driving on the shoulder. During the stop, the trooper suspected criminal activity and pulled the truck over. 

According to Nebraska State Patrol, troopers searched the vehicle and discovered a false compartment located in the empty trailer. The compartment contained 42 foil-wrapped packages containing 73 pounds of what they thought was cocaine and 44 pounds of an unknown powder suspected to be fentanyl.

After further testing, the crime lab was able to confirm that all 118 pounds were fentanyl.

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 and no Drug Tax stamp. Both men were lodged in Buffalo County Jail.

State Patrol reports this is the largest fentanyl bust in Nebraska history and one of the largest in the country.